Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

Determination of Phenol Content and Antibacterial Activity of Five Medicinal Plants Ethanolic Extracts from North-West of Morocco

Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Jamal Abrini, Aicha El-Baabou, Youssef Bakri and Nadia Dakka

The aim of this study is to screening the phytochemical content of five medicinal plants of Ouezzane province for their antibacterial activity. Ethanolic extracts were prepared using solid-liquid extraction. The total phenolic content was assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, total flavonoid content was assessed by aliminuim chloride (AlCl3) colorimetric assay. The antibacterial activity of extracts was tested against two reference strains, Escherichia coli K12 MBLA and Staphylococus aureus CECT 976 using the agar well diffusion method. The total phenol content of five ethanolic extracts ranged between 34,64 ± 1,16 and 112,48 ± 1,75 mg GAE per g extract, and the flavonoid content ranged between 9,28 ± 1,37 and 24,55 ± 0,58 mg QE/g extract. In the determination of the in vitro antimicrobial activity, flowering extracts prevented the growth of the tested strain by forming significant inhibition zones. The inhibitory activity of Ajuva Iva ethanolic extracts was especially remarkable (17,5 mm against E. coli and 21 mm against S. aureus). These species could be considered as potential sources of antibacterial compounds. Further studies are necessary for chemical characterization of the active principles and more extensive biological evaluations.