Abstract
In this study, we aimed to profile the stem bark of Acacia decurrens biochemically. Extracts obtained by maceration were phytochemically screened, spectroscopically analysed with the aid of UV-visible, FT-IR, GC-MS, and, ICP-OES and subjected to primary biological assay. Spectra obtained from the UV-visible and FT-IR confirm the presence of n ® p* which are characteristic of compounds with oxygenated backbones such as the glycoside, phenols, terpenoids, tannins, and flavonoids. On further analysis, the chromatogram revealed the presence of thirty-five major compounds of which eight bioactive compounds had previously been isolated. The metal profile of the stem bark registered high concentrations of Cr, K, and Fe. Quantitative phytochemical evaluation showed, large amount of tannins (30.87 – 55. 81 mgTAE/g), steroids (13.92-41.2%), and phenols (40.6 - 65.5 mgGAE/g) in all fractions. The ethyl acetate and methanol fractions were found to be rich sources of antibacterial compounds with MIC value of 12.5 μg/mL while the chloroform fraction is a potent antioxidant fraction with IC50 values of 37.00 ± 0.06 g/mL and 42.20 ± 0.72 µg/mL against DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively. The presence of these secondary metabolites and the hyper-tolerance capacity for metals can be exploited pharmaceutically and for phytoremediation purpose, respectively.
Highlights
The earliest mention of Acacia was in the Book of Exodus, referring to Acacia raddiana, in regards to the construction of the Tabernacle (Hutton Balfour, 1866)
Extracts obtained by maceration were phytochemically screened, spectroscopically analysed with the aid of UV-visible, FT-IR, GC-MS, and, ICP-OES and subjected to primary biological assay
Active antimicrobial compounds were extracted with ethyl acetate and methanol due to the solubility of bioactive phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and glycosides in these solvents
Summary
The earliest mention of Acacia was in the Book of Exodus, referring to Acacia raddiana, in regards to the construction of the Tabernacle (Hutton Balfour, 1866). Acacia decurrens (Wild), commonly known as black wattle, is a perennial Mimosoideae tree of the Fabaceae family. They survive all terrestrial habitats, including alpine, rainforests, woodlands, grasslands, coastal dunes and deserts (Quattrocchi, 2006); and are classified as invasive in some countries due to their prolific nature. The ecological dominance of A. decurrens is due to their biological resilience and ability to compete better for water and soil minerals than native flora. These unique biological attributes can be exploited for their pharmacological activities against autochthonous infections
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