Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of the Selected Species of Mangroves

Abstract

As a productive ecosystem component, mangroves provide critical services to humankind. Mangroves may be a source of antibacterial compounds that could be used as a natural treatment for managing bacterial infections. This study determined the phytochemical constituents of leaf extracts of three selected mangrove species Avicennia marina (Bungalon), Rhizophora apiculata (Bakhaw), and Sonneratia alba (Pagatpat), using the Test-tube Method and antibacterial sensitivity using an Agar Well-Diffusion Method found in the coastal areas of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The results showed that the three species of mangroves leaf methanolic extracts exhibit susceptibility to antibacterial properties against S. aureus; it was observed that S. alba has the highest inhibitory effect on S. aureus among the three selected mangrove species. There was a significant difference between the positive control (Linezolid 30 mcg) and the methanolic crude extract of R. apiculata (MD = 27.97, p < 0.01), A. marina (MD = 24.37, p < 0.01), and S. alba (MD = 23.09, p < 0.01). On the contrary, A. marina and S. alba did not differ significantly with p= 0.172; this means that the antibacterial activity of methanolic crude extracts of A. marina and S. alba are comparable but significantly differ with the positive control (Linezolid 30 mcg). The qualitative phytochemical analyses of the three species of mangroves' leaf methanolic extracts showed flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and tannins. Terpenoids were present only on R. apiculata.