Phytochemical Analysis of Tradescantia Spathacea’s Roots and Its Antibacterial Properties

Ting, Viven (2023) Phytochemical Analysis of Tradescantia Spathacea’s Roots and Its Antibacterial Properties. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Tradescantia spathacea Sw. (T. spathacea) which is also known as Moses-in-a-basket or oyster plant. It is traditionally used for antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Due to the overuse of antibiotics and emerging multi-drug-resistant bacteria, the roots of T. spathacea have been chosen as the subject of interest. In addition, there are still no records of any antibacterial assay studies for the isolated compounds from the roots of this plant. Therefore, to tackle this problem, the phytochemical and antibacterial properties of the roots of T. spathacea were investigated. The roots were extracted and subjected to phytochemical screening as well as the determination of TPC and TFC. Isolation and elucidation of pure compounds were also performed on EA crude, and the isolated compounds were then tested on their antibacterial properties. Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts showed that the ethyl acetate (EA) crude had the highest phenolic and flavonoid content (119.10 ± 2.97 μg GAE/mg dry extract and 115.7 ± 2.9 μg CE/mg dry extract, respectively). The gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were susceptible to both hexane and EA crude extracts at concentrations of 10 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, two compounds, namely bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and ethyl palmitate, were successfully isolated from the roots of T. spathacea for the first time. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was found to inhibit the growth of gram-positive Enterococcus faecium bacteria at a mere concentration of 100 μg/mL. However, the other compound did not show any inhibition activity toward the selected pathogens. This study facilitates future research on the antibacterial properties of T. spathacea roots, which can be further investigated in the near future to produce new and safe antibiotics. Keywords: Tradescantia spathacea; phytochemical screening; TPC; TFC; antibacterial activities.