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HPLC Quantification of Phenolic Acids from Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash and its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

Summary

This research examined the medicinal properties of Vetiver grass, a plant commonly found in India. Scientists discovered that extracts from Vetiver leaves contain powerful natural compounds that can fight harmful bacteria and fungi while also acting as antioxidants. This finding has important real-world applications: • Could lead to new natural preservatives for food and cosmetics • May help develop new antibiotics from plant sources • Provides scientific backing for traditional medicinal uses of Vetiver • Offers potential for natural food supplements and health products • Demonstrates sustainable source of beneficial compounds from readily available plant material

Background

Natural products play a crucial role in pharmaceutical industry, with systematic investigation of natural resources being essential for new drug discovery. The common phenylpropanoid pathway produces diverse compounds important for plant physiology and human applications. Vetiveria zizanioides, a perennial grass growing in India’s Gangetic plains, has traditional medicinal uses including as a nervous system relaxant, anti-inflammatory agent, and treatment for various ailments.

Objective

To standardize extraction procedures for phenolic acids from Vetiveria zizanioides leaves and investigate their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with emphasis on identifying and quantifying specific phenolic compounds.

Results

The water-soluble alkaline extract contained the highest amount of phenolic acids (2.62 ± 1.2μM/g fwt GA equivalents). HPLC analysis identified p-coumaric acid, p-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and ferulic acid in the acidic extracts. Antioxidant activity strongly correlated with phenolic content (Pearson’s coefficient 0.988). The extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against both bacterial and fungal strains, with varying effectiveness depending on the extraction method and target organism.

Conclusion

Vetiveria zizanioides leaf extracts contain significant amounts of phenolic acids, particularly in cell wall-bound fractions, with demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The study validates the potential use of V. zizanioides as a source of natural antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
  • Published in:Journal of Pharmaceutics,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1155/2013/270472
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