In vitro antibacterial screening of fatty acid from Aegiceras corniculatum against human pathogens

Abstract

This present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial screening of fatty acids (FAs) from Aegiceras corniculatum against human pathogens viz. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The leaf, stem, flower and pneumatophore of the species were used for the study. FAs were isolated as fatty acid methyl esters from the total extracts of A. Corniculatum and characterized using GC-FID for their compositions. Palmitic acid (C16:0) found to a chief constituent in the crude extracts of leaf, stem and flower. Whereas, In pneumatophore, methyl-cis-5,8,11,14- Eicosotetraenoic acid (PUFA, C20:4) was found to be predominant. Potential of fatty acid methyl ester against human pathogens were accessed using disc diffusion assay. Among the four pathogens investigated, fatty acid showed significant activity against Gram-negative K. pneumonia and moderate activity against Gram-positive S. aureus. In conclusion, FAs derived from A. corniculatum needs further evaluation as possible new agents to treat infections caused by these pathogens, especially in synergistic combinations with antimicrobial agents already used clinically.