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Sesquiterpenes: The Major Bioactive Constituent of the Nigerian Chromolaena odorata (Siam Weed) Leaf Extracts
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Natural Products Chemistry
Abstract
Employing phytochemicals from medicinal plants in drug synthesis is crucial since drug-resistant infections and diseases pose serious threat to life. This study investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the Nigerian Chromolaena odorata based on its ethnomedical use. The crude extract was obtained by extracting the air-dried, powdered leaves of Chromolaena odorata using methanol. Using standard procedures, the extract was tested for phytochemicals. The fractions of the crude extract that were soluble in hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate were separated. The activity of the crude extract and its fractions against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was assessed. By using GC-MS analysis, the chemical components of the chloroform-soluble fraction that exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity were identified. The phytochemical screening showed that saponins and glycosides were absent, but terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids/sterols, and volatile oils were present. The gram-negative bacterium E. coli was insensitive to the crude extract and fractions, while they showed inhibitory activity against the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and B. subtilis. The only extracts that showed activity against Candida albicans were the ethylacetate and chloroform soluble fractions. Terpenes with known biological activity were the primary compounds identified by GC-MS analysis of the bioactive chloroform-soluble fraction extract. Terpenes may be responsible for the plant extracts' action. These results support the traditional use of Chromolaena odorata and show its potential as a natural source of antimicrobial compounds.
Keywords
Antimicrobial Activity, Chromolaena Odorata, Phytochemicals, Sesquiterpenes
How to cite this paper
@article{1710173,
author = {Kayode Confidence Praise, Obi Leonard Kelechukwu, Adewumi Chizoma Nwakego, Aboh Sandra Ojochegbe},
title = {Sesquiterpenes: The Major Bioactive Constituent of the Nigerian Chromolaena odorata (Siam Weed) Leaf Extracts},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {435-443},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710173.pdf},
abstract = {Employing phytochemicals from medicinal plants in drug synthesis is crucial since drug-resistant infections and diseases pose serious threat to life. This study investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the Nigerian Chromolaena odorata based on its ethnomedical use. The crude extract was obtained by extracting the air-dried, powdered leaves of Chromolaena odorata using methanol. Using standard procedures, the extract was tested for phytochemicals. The fractions of the crude extract that were soluble in hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate were separated. The activity of the crude extract and its fractions against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was assessed. By using GC-MS analysis, the chemical components of the chloroform-soluble fraction that exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity were identified. The phytochemical screening showed that saponins and glycosides were absent, but terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids/sterols, and volatile oils were present. The gram-negative bacterium E. coli was insensitive to the crude extract and fractions, while they showed inhibitory activity against the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and B. subtilis. The only extracts that showed activity against Candida albicans were the ethylacetate and chloroform soluble fractions. Terpenes with known biological activity were the primary compounds identified by GC-MS analysis of the bioactive chloroform-soluble fraction extract. Terpenes may be responsible for the plant extracts' action. These results support the traditional use of Chromolaena odorata and show its potential as a natural source of antimicrobial compounds.},
keywords = {Antimicrobial Activity, Chromolaena Odorata, Phytochemicals, Sesquiterpenes},
month = {August},
}