Isolation and characterization of bioactive molecules from Lantana camara fruits

Abstract

The aim of this research study was to carry out isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) fruits. The plant material was collected from the Jimma University Institutes of Technology. The dried and powdered plant material (fruits) was subjected to sequential solvent extractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol) using maceration techniques. Antibacterial evaluation of crude extracts was carried out using in vitro method against four standard bacterial species (viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella thyphimurium). Among the four crude extracts, the chloroform extract showed the highest antibacterial activity and was subjected to column chromatographic separation that led to isolation of five compounds (labeled as LC-1, LC-2, LC-3, LC-4 and LC-5). Of which, three compounds named β-sitosterol (LC-1), di-2- ethylhexyl-phthalate (LC-4) and trilinolein (LC-5)) were fully characterized based on the observed spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT-135 and IR) data and comparison with reported data in literature. The compounds were also evaluated for their antibacterial activities and exhibited activity superior to standard antibiotic (gentamicine). Thus, the observed antibacterial activities of the crude extracts and the isolated compounds could justify the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of different bacterial infection