Research Article
Abstract
This
study took a closer look at the leaves of Momordica balsamina, a plant
long valued in African folk medicine. The leaves was extracted using methanol
and a gentle cold maceration method. Then, it was analyzed for its chemical composition
and carefully separated into different fractions: n-hexane, chloroform, and
n-butanol. The extracts were tested against common pathogens like E. coli, S. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa,
and C. albicans.
The results were found to be promising; with better inhibition of E.coli
and S. pyogenes
at 12.5 μg/mL present in n-hexane fraction.
The MBC result shows the crude extract and the n-hexane fraction being
bactericidal against E.coli and S. pyogenes at 1.25
μg/mL and 5
μg/mL, the phytochemical analysis revealed a variety of beneficial compounds,
including carbohydrates, steroids, and flavonoids, while noting that
anthraquinone was absent. The extract and its n-hexane fraction showed
effectiveness against E.
coli and S.
pyogenes, but had only a minimal impact on P. aeruginosa
and no significant antifungal effects. Interestingly, the
research led to isolation of two compounds—dodec-1-ane (C10H21CH=CH2)
and trilinolein glyceride (C57H98O6)—for the
first time from M.
balsamina leaves.
Overall, these findings reinforce the plant's traditional use in treating
infections and suggest it could be a valuable source for developing new
antimicrobial treatments.
Keywords
M. balsamina leaves, cold maceration, pathogens, phytochemicals, dodec-1-ene, trilinolein glyceride.
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This work is licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution
4.0
License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
Abstract
This
study took a closer look at the leaves of Momordica balsamina, a plant
long valued in African folk medicine. The leaves was extracted using methanol
and a gentle cold maceration method. Then, it was analyzed for its chemical composition
and carefully separated into different fractions: n-hexane, chloroform, and
n-butanol. The extracts were tested against common pathogens like E. coli, S. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa,
and C. albicans.
The results were found to be promising; with better inhibition of E.coli
and S. pyogenes
at 12.5 μg/mL present in n-hexane fraction.
The MBC result shows the crude extract and the n-hexane fraction being
bactericidal against E.coli and S. pyogenes at 1.25
μg/mL and 5
μg/mL, the phytochemical analysis revealed a variety of beneficial compounds,
including carbohydrates, steroids, and flavonoids, while noting that
anthraquinone was absent. The extract and its n-hexane fraction showed
effectiveness against E.
coli and S.
pyogenes, but had only a minimal impact on P. aeruginosa
and no significant antifungal effects. Interestingly, the
research led to isolation of two compounds—dodec-1-ane (C10H21CH=CH2)
and trilinolein glyceride (C57H98O6)—for the
first time from M.
balsamina leaves.
Overall, these findings reinforce the plant's traditional use in treating
infections and suggest it could be a valuable source for developing new
antimicrobial treatments.
Abstract Keywords
M. balsamina leaves, cold maceration, pathogens, phytochemicals, dodec-1-ene, trilinolein glyceride.
This work is licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution
4.0
License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
Editor-in-Chief
This work is licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
License.(CC BY-NC 4.0).