Publication Date

7-12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biology (MS)

Committee Member

Mendez, Monica O.

Committee Member

Quintana, Fernando G.

Committee Member

Addo-Mensah, Alfred K.

Abstract

The rise of antibiotic resistance is pressuring scientists to investigate natural products for novel antimicrobial agents. Plants are widely used as an ethnomedicine and are thought to have been used therapeutically since the middle paleolithic age. These medicinal plants contain secondary metabolites, such as phenols, that may confer antimicrobial properties. Studies have reported antimicrobial activity of plant species within the Vachellia and Senegalia genera. The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity and secondary metabolites of the following South Texas plant species: Vachellia rigidula, Vachellia farnesiana, Senegalia berlandieri, and Senegalia greggii. The disc diffusion test was performed to assess antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria and qualitative phytochemical tests were done to screen for secondary metabolites. The V. rigidula 70% ethanol extract inhibited the growth of Providencia alcalifaciens (7.85±1.19 mm). The V. farnesiana ethyl acetate extract showed inhibition against M. roseus (13.54±5.44). The V. rigidula 70% ethanol extract tested positive for phenols, tannins, diterpenes, sterols, triterpenes, and saponins. The V. farnesiana ethyl acetate extract tested positive for phenols, tannins, diterpenes, sterols, and triterpenes. The V. rigidula 70% ethanol extract may be a novel treatment for diarrhea-inducing P. alcalifaciens infections. The V. farnesiana ethyl acetate extract may be able to combat M. roseus infections in immunocompromised patients.

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