PJB-2024-225
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM PUNJAB AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY
Muhammad Khalid Afzal
Abstract
Medicinal plants play a crucial role in disease prevention and health enhancement due to their rich nutrient composition and bioactive phytochemicals. With approximately 78% of pharmaceuticals derived from plants, there is growing interest in exploring their biologically active compounds, particularly those with antimicrobial properties, to combat infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In this context, the study focuses on five indigenous plants: Convolvulus arvensis, Sesamum indicum, Capparis spinosa, Annona squamosa, and Anethum graveolens. The nutritional analysis of these plants revealed varying compositions of ash, moisture, protein, carbohydrate, and fat, highlighting their diverse nutritional profiles. Convolvulus arvensis exhibited the highest ash content at 25.31%, while Sesamum indicum recorded the highest carbohydrate content at 83.82%. These values provide valuable insights into the nutritional significance of these plants, which is essential for their utilization in human and animal diets. Furthermore, the study evaluated the antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanolic extracts from these plants against a panel of bacterial and fungal strains. Results indicated significant antimicrobial efficacy, with Capparis spinosa demonstrating potent antibacterial activity against E. coli, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of <10mg/ml, and Convolvulus arvensis showing effective inhibition of Salmonella Typhi growth with an MIC of <1mg/ml. Additionally, Convolvulus arvensis emerged as a potent antifungal agent against Acremonium, with an MIC of <10mg/ml. Overall, the study highlights the therapeutic potential of indigenous medicinal plants from Punjab, Pakistan, in combating microbial infections. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on natural remedies and emphasize the importance of exploring plant-based therapies as alternatives to synthetic medications.
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