Phytochemical Profiling and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds Extracted via Column Chromatography from Selected Euphorbiaceae Species

Abstract

Euphorbiaceae species have been historically recognized for their therapeutic potential, primarily due to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds. This study investigates the extraction, separation, and antimicrobial evaluation of such compounds from selected Euphorbiaceae plants. Using methanolic extraction followed by silica gel-based column chromatography, fractions were obtained and subjected to phytochemical screening and antimicrobial assays. The antimicrobial activity was tested against various pathogenic microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenols. Bioactive fractions demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, particularly those rich in flavonoids and terpenoids. This study suggests that compounds isolated from Euphorbiaceae hold promising antimicrobial potential, especially in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Further characterization using UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy validated the presence of functional groups indicative of potent phytochemicals. The findings provide a scientific basis for the use of Euphorbiaceae-derived compounds in alternative antimicrobial therapies.

Introduction

The Euphorbiaceae family, rich in chemically diverse flowering plants commonly found in tropical regions, has been traditionally used in folk medicine to treat infections and inflammation. Due to rising antibiotic resistance, scientific interest has increased in isolating antimicrobial compounds from these plants, such as Euphorbia hirta, Phyllanthus niruri, and Jatropha curcas. These plants contain bioactive phytochemicals like alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

This study used column chromatography combined with bioassay-guided fractionation to isolate active compounds from methanolic extracts of these plants. Extracts were separated using silica gel columns with a gradient solvent system, and fractions were analyzed via TLC, phytochemical screening, and antimicrobial tests against pathogens (E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans).

Results showed that fractions rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenols had significant antimicrobial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, with inhibition zones up to 23.4 mm and MIC values between 0.25–1.0 mg/mL. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR and UV-Vis) helped identify functional groups related to bioactivity.

The research highlights the potential of Euphorbiaceae plants as sources for new antimicrobial agents, integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques to combat drug-resistant infections.

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant antimicrobial potential of bioactive compounds isolated from selected Euphorbiaceae plants using column chromatography. The presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic constituents was strongly correlated with observed antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. The spectroscopic analysis reinforced the presence of functional groups relevant to antimicrobial action. These findings validate traditional uses of these plants and provide a scientific basis for their further exploration in natural product drug development. Continued research, including in vivo and toxicological studies, is necessary to transition from laboratory results to clinical applications. The promising results from this investigation pave the way for the development of alternative, plant-based antimicrobial agents in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Annu Tiwari, Dr. Amit Tiwari. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.