The scientific merit of Carpobrotus mellei L. based on antimicrobial activity and chemical profiling
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Date
2006
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Academic Journals
Abstract
Species of the genus Carpobrotus are similar in appearance and have been used for medicinal
purposes over many generations. Carpobrotus mellei is endemic to the south-Western Cape of South
Africa, and also used for various ailments. To date no scientific validation and information has been
reported on C. mellei. This study investigated the antimicrobial potential of C. mellei against
Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Mycobacterium smegmatis,
and determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) by two-fold serial dilution. C. mellei
showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and M. smegmatis in the disc diffusion method. Eight
chemical compounds showed clear zones of inhibition in the bioautograms, seven against S. aureus
and three compounds were active against M. smegmatis. The ethyl acetate extracts have MIC values of
7.5 mg/ml and 15 mg/ml against S. aureus and M. smegmatis, respectively. Phytochemical tests
indicated the presence of flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, phytosterols and aromatic acids. High
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed a species-specific spectrum at a wavelength of 280
nm. The results confirm that C. mellei has scientific merit, and can substitute one of the other
Carpobrotus species for antimicrobial usage within the south-Western Cape of South Africa.
Description
Keywords
Carpobrotus mellei, Antimicrobial activity, Chemical profile, Scientific validation, Medicinal plants
Citation
Springfield, E. P. and Weitz, F. (2006). The scientific merit of Carpobrotus mellei L. based on
antimicrobial activity and chemical profiling. African Journal of Biotechnology, 5(13): 1289-1293