ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the phytochemical and antimicrobial activities as well as the insecticidal properties of the different sections of Ricinus communis (castor) plant in Mauritius. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of phytochemicals in the crude leaves, pericarp, seeds, bark and root extracts obtained by using polar and non-polar solvents. The disc diffusion and micro-dilution methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of the crude solvent extracts against 13 microorganisms. The insecticidal properties of the crude extracts on larvae of Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae), which caused important economic losses to local fruits were also investigated. Results: All the extracts from the different parts of the plant showed antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms. The polar solvents' extracts of the fully mature parts of the castor plant were active against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC 25922), E. coli (0145:H28 Acc. No. CP006027.1) with inhibition zones ranging from 16 mm to 19 mm and against Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778) (B. cereus), Listeria innocua (ATCC 33090) (L. innocua). Lowest microbial inhibitory concentration was recorded for B. cereus, L. innocua, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), E. coli (ATCC 25922) and Proteus mirabilis strain (NCTC 11938) with value of 3.2 μg/mL. The most active extract against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was extracted from the fully mature pericarps and it was the most active against E. coli (ATCC 25922), B. cereus, L. innocua and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213). In addition, the extracts obtained by using polar solvent and fully mature leaves demonstrated the strongest larvicidal activity against Bactrocera zonata (100%). Conclusions: Ricinus communis (castor) plant extracts possess larvicidal properties providing an effective eco-friendly control for fruit flies. The antimicrobial results justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine and the practice of supplementing decoctions/concoctions with conventional antibiotics.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical and lavicidal properties of different parts of Jatropha curcas L. (J. curcas) growing in Mauritius. Methods Determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants extracts by test tube reactions. Disc diffusion method and microdilution method were used to detect the antimicrobial sensitivity and activity (minimal inhibitory concentration). The crude solvent extracts were also tested on the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera, Tephritidae). Results The antimicrobial activities were significantly dependent for the different crude plant extracts on the thirteen microorganisms tested. For the Gram-positive bacteria, the crude ethyl acetate extract was more efficient compared to the Gram-negative bacteria with both solvents being effective. The crude ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark and mature seed oil showed the highest efficacy. The highest mortality percentage was observed after 24 h for both Diptera flies with (66.67 ± 2.89)% of Bactrocera cucurbitae larvae killed by ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark. Conclusions This paper compared the different J. curcas plant sections with respect to the effectiveness of the plant as a potential candidate for new pharmaceuticals. The larvicidal effect was also studied in order to demonstrate the dual purpose of the plant.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different Jatropha species and Ricinus communis (castor) (R. communis) growing in Mauritius. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants solvent extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and Antibacterial activity (MIC-microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were studied. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts against larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera, Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits were also demonstrated. Results: Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. Jatropha multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. Both R. communis and Jatropha multifida were proved to be very effective as biopesticide against different types of insect larvae. Conclusions: This study was able to demonstrate that Jatropha species as well as R. communis growing in Mauritius possess antimicrobial, phytochemical and insecticidal properties.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different extracts of Jatropha multifida (J. multifida) in Mauritius. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude solvent extracts of J. multifida. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and antibacterial activity (microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were reported. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts were tested against the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits. Results: Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. J. multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. The plant also showed good larvacidal activity against Bactrocera zonata. Conclusions: This paper reports the dual use of J. multifida, hence further studies can be made in term of application.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different extracts of Jatropha multifida (J. multifida) in Mauritius.@*METHODS@#Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude solvent extracts of J. multifida. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and antibacterial activity (microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were reported. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts were tested against the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits.@*RESULTS@#Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. J. multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. The plant also showed good larvacidal activity against Bactrocera zonata.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This paper reports the dual use of J. multifida, hence further studies can be made in term of application.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different Jatropha species and Ricinus communis (castor) (R. communis) growing in Mauritius.@*METHODS@#Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants solvent extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and Antibacterial activity (MIC-microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were studied. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts against larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera, Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits were also demonstrated.@*RESULTS@#Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. Jatropha multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. Both R. communis and Jatropha multifida were proved to be very effective as biopesticide against different types of insect larvae.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study was able to demonstrate that Jatropha species as well as R. communis growing in Mauritius possess antimicrobial, phytochemical and insecticidal properties.