Comparative Study on Antibacterial and Selected Antioxidant Activities of Different Eryngium foetidum Extracts

Abstract

Eryngium foetidum is an herb which is used as a medicinal and a spice plant in tropical regions. This plant is used in traditional medicine in treating conditions such as fever, chills, vomiting diarrhea, stomach aches, worms, pneumonia, flu, diabetes, constipation and malaria due to the presence of phytochemicals that is responsible for these activities. Further, it is also used as a food ingredient which is with health benefits in some countries. However, these claims have not been well proven by scientific studies. As such, this study focused on the investigation of antibacterial properties, total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of different leaf extracts of Eryngium foetidum. Three different solvent extractions of leaves namely methanol, chloroform and water were studied. The methanol and chloroform extracts showed high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocyatogenes and Staphylococcus aureus). Water extracts showed highest activity against gram negative microorganism (Salmonella). Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were high in the methanol extract, water extract and chloroform extract respectively. The results of the study have revealed the presence of phytochemical responsible for the above activities and possible use of Eryngium foetidum as a food source with health benefits.