Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of the Seed Extracts of Acacia ataxacantha

Abstract

Acacia ataxacantha is a plant that is traditionally used in various forms of herbal medicine due to its diverse therapeutic properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The seed extracts of A. ataxacantha, like other Acacia species, are known to contain an array of bioactive phytochemicals that contribute to its pharmacological potential. The study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of A. ataxacantha seed extracts as well as their potential applications in drug development. The dried ground seeds of the plant were used for the analyses. The coarse-powdered sample was separately subjected to cold extraction (maceration) using ethanol and hexane with intermittent stirring for 2 days. The extracts were obtained through filtration and the filtrate was concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The various extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening using standard techniques. The methods described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, 2004 and 2012) were used for the in vitro antimicrobial analysis. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The ethanolic extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with the highest inhibition observed against Bacillus subtilis (15 mm at 100 mg/mL concentration). However, it was ineffective against fungal strains such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus sporogenes. The combined ethanolic and hexane extracts also showed antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria but limited effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli. The study concludes that ethanol is a more effective solvent for extracting antimicrobial compounds from A. ataxacantha seeds and recommends further research into phytochemical components, extraction methods, and broader antimicrobial testing, along with safety and toxicity studies to assess potential medical applications.