Phytochemical screening, Active ingredients analysis by GC-MS and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Coat buttons (Tridax procumbens)

Abstract

Tridax procumbens is widely used in traditional medical practice for the treatment of different ailments. To study its antimicrobial activity and identify its active molecules, dried leaves of T. procumbens were subjected to extraction using 50% ethanol. Phytochemical screening was done following established methods. Active ingredients were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that tannins and cyanogenic glycosides (carbohydrates) were present. Antibacterial activity studies by the disc diffusion method revealed that the ethanol extract had broad-spectrum activity on Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 0.7 – 2.7 mg/ml and 21.3 – 170 mg/ml for the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) range of 1.3 – 170 mg/ml and 42.5 – 170 mg/ml was observed for Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. GC-MS chromatograph revealed the presence of Propane-1,3-diamine, Propane-1,1-diol diacetate, Cyclopropylmethanol, 5-methyl-4,6-pyrimidinediol,3,5-dihydroxymethyl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde, decyltetracosane, besides fatty acids and other aliphatic molecules. These molecules are most likely involved in the observed therapeutic potentials of the plant

Keywords: Tridax procumbens, phytochemicals, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), ethanolic leaf extract, antibiotic resistance, GC-MS

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/17-2-03

Publication date: July 28th 2025