Studies on the antimicrobial properties and GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of <i>Annona muricata</i> seeds

Abstract

The increasing resistance profile of many bacterial and yeast strains to conventional antimicrobial agents has heightened the search for bioactive compounds from higher plants that would serve as lead molecules in the discovery and development of new drugs. This study determined the antimicrobial properties and chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate extract of Annona muricata seeds. Crude extract obtained by maceration of pulverized seeds of Annona muricata in ethyl acetate was evaluated for antimicrobial activity against six clinical bacterial isolates (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella aerogenes) and one fungus (Candida albicans) using agar-well diffusion method. GC-MS method was used to determine the chemical constituents of the extract. The extraction yielded 19.93% of an oily yellow crude mass. The extract inhibited the growth of all test bacteria with inhibitory zone diameters range of 23.5 - 17.02 mm and 25.90 - 31.50 mm for the standard antimicrobial agents. The GC-MS analysis identified 48 chemical constituents in the extract with 9,12-octadecadienal, 1,14-tetradecadienal, phthalic and fatty acids accounting for 15.26, 7.77, 2.53 and 11.20% respectively. The data from this study revealed the possible antimicrobial potentials and chemical constituents of Annona muricata seeds and hence the scientific basis for its traditional use in the treatment of some infections.