Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY OF THE LEAF EXTRACTS OF IMPERATA CYLINDRICA (L.) RAEUSCH (GABUT) FROM RIZAL, CAGAYAN, NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

RAMELO B. RAMIREZ, JR. LILY ANN C. MALLABO AND ANGELIKA B. PAGUIRIGAN

Abstract

The Malaueg community of Rizal Cagayan identified the roots of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch (Gabut) as a source of medicine for kidney diseases. Literature also shows that the rhizomes are utilized against a variety of metabolic conditions and illnesses. The investigators postulated that the leaves would have antibacterial and antioxidant properties and thus study was conducted. The study aimed to: (a) determine the polyphenol composition of the Leaf Extracts of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch (Gabut), (b) establish the presence of antibacterial activity in the different extracts against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi, (c) establish the presence of antioxidant activity in the aqueous. ethanolic, and methanolic leaf extracts of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch (Gabut), and (d) determine the relationship between the phytochemical composition, the antibacterial activity and the antioxidant activity of leaf extracts of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch (Gabut). The phytochemical tests showed that all leaf extracts contain three polyphenols, namely, coumarins, flavonoids, and tannins. All leaf extracts were very active against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and S. typhi and active against E. coli. The activity may be attributed to the presence of polyphenols in all of the extracts. The antibacterial activity was tested against the effects of the standard drug, ciprofloxacin. The most antioxidant compounds and the highest free radical scavenging activity were extracted from the methanolic extract due to the presence of polyphenols such as coumarins and tannins. There was a strong correlation between the polyphenolic content, antibacterial activity and free radical scavenging activity of the plant. This entails the potential of Gabut to to cure infections and free radical related diseases.