Chemical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Agave americana L.'s Flavonoids Fraction Against Selected Bacterial Type Strains

Abstract

Introduction The current study was conducted under in vitro conditions, utilizing the agar diffusion assay against pathogenic bacterial type strains and Cefixime as a positive control.

Objectives: The aim was to assess the antibacterial potential of A. americana L. flavonoids extracted following Harborne’s method (1989). A botanical screening selected A. americana L. for drug discovery, compared to A. sisalana L., a traditional antiseptic and antihypertensive natural product.

       Methods: Preliminary chemical tests were carried out as per the procedure outlined by Harborne (1973).   Various secondary metabolites were identified through tube and thin-layer chromatography (TLC).                         To extract the total flavonoid fraction (aglycones and glycosylates), we followed Harborne's method (1989).                      The antibacterial activity of Agave flavonoids was evaluated using two stock solutions, (20 mg ml-1) and (200 mg ml-1), following the Agar Diffusion Method as previously detailed by Rahal et al. (2005).

       The HPLC analysis of the extracted flavonoids was performed using a Waldbronn liquid chromatograph. Peaks in the chromatogram were identified by comparing their retention times to known standard retention times.                                                                                                                                                            

       Results: Phytochemical screening yielded positive results for various classes of natural compounds, indicating potential biological activity; color intensity and precipitate formation served as analytical responses. Notably, the tested flavonoids exhibited significant activity against pathogenic bacterial strains when compared to the commercial antibiotic. The results from the HPLC analysis indicate that the essential compounds in the flavonoids extracted from American Agave are Gallic Acid, Catechin, Vanillin, Rutin, and Quercetin.

Conclusions: Based on its chemical composition, it can be inferred that A. americana L. has potential for medicinal use.