MELIA AZEDARACH L. (MELIACEAE): PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF FRUIT EXTRACTS.

Phakamani Linda  Masuku; Himansu Baijnath; Karishma Singh

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i12.1440

Authors

Phakamani Linda Masuku School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Westville, Durban, 4000, South Africa
Himansu Baijnath School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Westville, Durban, 4000, South Africa
Karishma Singh Department of Nature Conservation, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, P.O. Box 12363, Jacobs, 4026, Durban, KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i12.1440

Keywords:

Melia azedarach, Bioactive compounds, Antibacterial activity, Inhibition zone, Resistance

Abstract

Background

Medicinal plants are still the main source of therapeutic substances for treating infectious diseases that seriously endanger human health in South Africa. The current study examined the potential therapeutic applications of the young, ripe, and mature fruits of M. azedarach.

Methods

A standard protocol, which included chemical reagents and a series of reactions, was used to determine the presence of the phytochemical compound classes. The methanol and hexane extract of young, ripe, and mature fruits were applied to six bacterial strains (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus) to evaluate their antibacterial activity.

Results

Methanol extracts of young, ripe, and mature fruits tested positive for six bioactive compounds. Hexane extracts of young, ripe, and mature fruits tested positive for four bioactive compounds. All six bacterial strains were highly susceptible to the methanol extract of fruits. Klebsiella pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa were strongly resistant to hexane extracts of the young fruits. Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, MRSA, and P. aeruginosa were strongly resistant to hexane extracts of the ripe fruits. Klebsiella pneumonia and E. coli were strongly resistant to hexane extracts of the mature fruits.

Conclusion

Melia azedarach fruits, whether young, ripe, or mature, contain bioactive therapeutic compounds (Carbohydrates, Amino acids, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Sterols, Steroids/Terpenoids, Phenols, Mucilage and Gums, Fixed oils, and fats) that can be used to develop medicines to treat various human ailments and display strong antibacterial potential.

Recommendations

Future research is needed to evaluate each bioactive compound's antibacterial activity and efficacy to determine which can be used as components in producing antibacterial medicines and drugs.

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