Fractionation of antimicrobial compounds from acacia nilotica twig extract against oral pathogens

Abstract

In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of fractions and sub-fractions of methanol extract of Acacia nilotica L. twig was done, and bioactive compounds were identified by GC-MS. Fractionation was done by column chromatography using different solvents, and their antimicrobial potential was checked by the agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed by the micro broth dilution method. Oral pathogens, including Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans were selected for the study. Results indicated that fraction (Fr-III) of A. nilotica methanol extract showed a significant zone of inhibition (ZOI) in the range of 14-15 mm against selected pathogens. Further sub-fraction, Fr-IIIf & Fr-IIIg of Fr-III exhibited maximum ZOI in a range of 38-40 mm at P<0.05. MIC of sample fractions was in the range of 80-210 µg/mL. GC-MS analysis represented that Piperidine,2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-was the major phytochemical in Fr-III. In the case of Fr-IIIg, n-Hexadecanoic acid was the main component, whereas behenic alcohol was in Fr-IIIf. Therefore, these bioactive compounds may be used as a potential therapeutic agent for oral health.