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Anthocyanin as potential source for antimicrobial activity in Clitoria ternatea L. and Dioscorea alata L.

Noraini Mahmad (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
R.M. Taha (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Rashidi Othman (Department of Landscape Architecture, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Sakinah Abdullah (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Nordiyanah Anuar (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Hashimah Elias (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Norlina Rawi (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Pigment & Resin Technology

ISSN: 0369-9420

Article publication date: 17 August 2018

Issue publication date: 7 November 2018

483

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate the antimicrobial activity (both antibacterial and antifungal) of in vivo and in vitro ethanolic anthocyanin extracts of Clitoria ternatea L. (vivid blue flower butterfly-pea) and Dioscorea alata L. (purple yam) against selected bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungi (Fusarium sp., Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma sp.).

Design/methodology/approach

The freeze-dried samples (0.2 g) from in vivo vivid blue flowers of C. ternatea L. were extracted using 10 mL ethanol (produced ethanolic red extraction) and 10 mL distilled water (produced aqueous blue extraction) separately. Two-month-old in vitro callus samples (0.2 g) were only extracted using 10 mL ethanol. The anthocyanin extractions were separated with the addition (several times) of ethyl acetate and distilled water (1:2:3) to remove stilbenoids, chlorophyll, less polar flavonoids and other non-polar compounds. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties were determined using agar diffusion technique. Three bacteria (B. subtilis, S. aureus and E. coli) and fungi (F. sp., A. niger and T. sp.) were streaked on bacteria agar and dextrose agar, respectively, using “hockey stick”. Then, the sterile paper discs (6 mm diameter) were pipetted with 20 µL of 1,010 CFU/mL chloramphenicol (as control for antibacterial) and carbendazim (as control for antifungal) in vivo and in vitro extracts. The plates were incubated at room temperature for 48 h, and the inhibition zones were measured.

Findings

Based on the results, both in vivo and in vitro ethanolic extracts from vivid blue flowers of C. ternatea L. showed the best antibacterial activity against the same bacteria (B. subtilis), 11 and 10 mm inhibition zones, respectively. However, different antifungal activity was detected in in vitro ethanolic callus extract (12 mm), which was against T. sp., contrary to in vivo ethanolic extract (10 mm), which was against F. sp.; antibacterial activity of D. alata L. was seen against the same bacteria (E. coli) with the highest inhibition zone for in vivo extract (8.8 mm), followed by in vitro extract (7.8 mm).

Research limitations/implications

Anthocyanins are responsible for the water soluble and vacuolar, pink, red, purple and blue pigments present in coloured plant pigments. These pigments (pink, red, purple and blue) are of important agronomic value in many crops and ornamental plants. However, anthocyanins are not stable and are easy to degrade and fade whenever exposed to light.

Social implications

Plant extracts containing bioactive agents with antimicrobial properties have been found to be useful in treating bacterial and fungal infections, as well as showed multiple antibiotic resistance.

Originality/value

Both in vivo and in vitro extracts from vivid blue flower petals (C. ternatea L.) and purple yam (D. alata L.) have important applications as natural antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) agents in the coating industry, instead of natural pharmaceutical products.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the University of Malaya, Malaysia, for financial aid and facilities provided by the Institute of Research Management and Monitoring, IPPP (Postgraduate Grant-PG071-2013B and PG189-2014B) and RIGS 16-077-0241.

Citation

Mahmad, N., Taha, R.M., Othman, R., Abdullah, S., Anuar, N., Elias, H. and Rawi, N. (2018), "Anthocyanin as potential source for antimicrobial activity in Clitoria ternatea L. and Dioscorea alata L.", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 47 No. 6, pp. 490-495. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-11-2016-0109

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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