Phytochemical Profile and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Echinodorus grandiflorus Crude Extract of the Leaves

Abstract

Echinodorus grandiflorus has pharmacological properties due to its secondary metabolism, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antihypertensive, and cardioprotective effects. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude extract of E. grandiflorus form its leaves. In the analysis of the phytochemical profile, qualitative tests were performed to identify tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenes, saponins, polysaccharides, and coumarins. Antimicrobial tests were performed using the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in 96-well microplates, using hydroalcoholic crude extract obtained by maceration in the proportions 1:5 and 1:10. The higher content of crude extract was observed by maceration 1:5 (3.26%). In phytochemical tests, the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins was detected. The microbial strains evaluated were Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Lactobacillus casei, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of crude extract has not apparent against the tested organisms. It is concluded that the crude extract present several phytochemical, however did not show antimicrobial activity, and furthermore studies should be carried out researching isolated chemical compounds and the antimicrobial activity leaves crude extract of Echinodorus grandiflorus plant.