CHARACTERIZATION OF TRITERPENOIDS ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL USING ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACTS FROM AERIAL PARTS OF Deinbollia pinnata

Abstract

Triterpenoids are a diverse class of secondary metabolites with potential antimicrobial properties that have gained significant attention in recent years due to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. In this study, we focus on the characterization of triterpenoids and their antimicrobial potential in ethyl acetate extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Deinbollia pinnata. The crude extracts from different solvents such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol were obtained through ultrasonic extraction method with the highest yield of ethyl acetate extracts at (73.92 g, 4.93%). Using a combined chromatographic separation method to isolate squalene (1) stigmasterol (2), stigmasta-5,22-diene-3-ol acetate (3), ?-sitosterol (4), lupeol (5), taraxasterol (6), and betulinic acid (7) from ethyl acetate extracts. Ethyl acetate crude extracts and isolated compounds were both screened for antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). For ethyl acetate crude extracts with concentrations of (1.5, 0.75, 0.35, & 0.168 mg/mL) indicated marginal antibacterial activity with a range of 17-, 20- and 14-mm zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans and lower minimum inhibitory concentrations ranges from 18.75 µg/ml to 150 µg/mL. Butulinic acid showed the highest activity against E. coli and C. albicans at 15 mm & 15 mm followed by Lupeol against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans at 13, 12, 12 mm. Moreso, no antimicrobial activity for both S. aureus and C. albicans with squalene except for E. coli which showed activity at 11 mm with 300 µg/mL (MIC). Thus, triterpenoids will be another centered area for antimicrobial drug discovery as they are abundant in plants.