Abstract
This work investigated the effect of leaf development (maturity) on morphology, antimicrobial activity, total phenolic (TPC) and ascorbic acid content in leaves of Terminalia ferdinandiana, an endemic plant of Australia. The results of this study indicated that total ascorbic acid was in the range of 23.0 to 35.5 mg/100 g dry weight (DW), showing an increase with advance of maturity. TPC in water and methanolic extracts were in the range of 237.3 - 598.6 and 210.3 - 319.6 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/ g DW, respectively. Leaf extracts exhibited pronounced inhibitory activity towards Staphylococcus aureus where total ascorbic acid and TPC were positively correlated with the observed antimicrobial activity. These results indicated that leaves extracts might be used as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents, with a great potential for application as an environmentally friendly sanitizer in the hospitality and healthcare industries.
Highlights
Terminalia ferdinandiana (Exell, Combretaceae), is an endemic plant of Australia, with edible fruits that are extremely rich in antioxidant compounds.1-6 Like its counter parts from the genus Terminalia, this plant has a rich history of being utilised as a traditional medicine by the Australian aboriginal communities
The objective of this work was to provide with information on morphology, antimicrobial activity, total phenolic and ascorbic acid content in T. ferdinandiana leaves over different stages of maturity
Variation in the morphological parameters, total phenolic content (TPC) and ascorbic acid content with advancement of maturity was observed in the samples analysed
Summary
Terminalia ferdinandiana (Exell, Combretaceae), is an endemic plant of Australia, with edible fruits that are extremely rich in antioxidant compounds. Like its counter parts from the genus Terminalia, this plant has a rich history of being utilised as a traditional medicine by the Australian aboriginal communities. Like its counter parts from the genus Terminalia, this plant has a rich history of being utilised as a traditional medicine by the Australian aboriginal communities. Fruits of this plant have been used to prepare various ailments for the cure of headaches, to alleviating symptoms of colds and fluand as an antiseptic.. Fruits of this plant have been used to prepare various ailments for the cure of headaches, to alleviating symptoms of colds and fluand as an antiseptic.1-8 This planthas been used for its medicinal properties in the same way as T. carpentariae, another Australia native Terminalia species.. Recent studies have reported on a number of bioactive properties of T. ferdinandiana which support many of the traditional medicinal claims of this plant by the Australian Aboriginal communities. Some of thesereports indicated that polar solvent extracts from T. ferdinandiana fruit were effectivein inhibiting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
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