Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities of Crude and Partially Purified Extracts of Portulaca Oleracea Leaves

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

The increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogens has driven the search for natural alternatives, particularly plant-based antimicrobials. This study investigates the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Portulaca oleracea, a plant renowned for its polyphenolic constituents. The leaves were extracted using solvents of varying polarities to obtain different fractions for analysis. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed a rich profile of polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins. The crude methanolic extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant activities against DPPH (50.08 ± 2.49%), superoxide (42.61 ± 0.56%), and hydroxyl (6.60 ± 0.94%). Furthermore, this extract demonstrated antibacterial efficacy, displaying zones of inhibition (ZOI) against Staphylococcus aureus (8.95 ± 0.19 mm) and Escherichia coli (7.18 ± 0.26 mm). Meanwhile, the polyphenol-rich aqueous fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activities among the tested extracts (p < 0.05) with potent antibacterial activities against S. aureus (ZOI = 11.21 ± 0.11 mm) and E. coli (ZOI = 10.21 ± 0.18 mm). The bioactivities may be linked to polyphenolic compounds like quercetin, herbacetin, and rhamnetin, as identified by UPLC-MS. The high total phenolic content (181.58 ± 5.34 mg GAE/g) in the aqueous fraction aligns with its strong antioxidant and antibacterial effects (p < 0.05). These results suggest the potential of P. oleracea as a natural source of antibacterial agents and warrant further investigation into its mechanisms of action.

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