Exploring the Bioactive Potential of Tamarix africana: Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities Assessment

Abstract

In Morocco, the Tamaricaceae family is represented by six species belonging to the Tamarix genus. including Tamarix africana which is utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. This study aims to compare and evaluate the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Tamarix africana leaf and flower extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction using five solvents of increasing polarity. The highest extraction yield was obtained with methanol for the leaves and flowers. Indeed, the results indicate that methanolic extracts contained the highest concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids for both organs (Poly - phenols: 101.80 mg GAE/g DW in the leaf extract and 50.55 mg GAE/g DW in the flower extract. Flavonoids: 990.723 µg RE/g DW in the leaf extract and 630.84 µg RE/g DW in the flower extract). The results of antioxidant activity revealed that the aqueous extract of leaves and flowers of T. africana (IC 50 : 1.89 µg/mL and 3.175 µg/ mL respectively) had higher antioxidant activities than ascorbic acid. Concerning the antibacterial study, Bacillus subtilis showed resistance to the tested extracts. However, for the Citrobacter freundii strain, inhibition zones of 14 mm were recorded by the aqueous extract of flowers. On the other hand, the strong inhibition zones recorded against the Enterococcus faecalis strain, were 13 mm recorded by the leaves methanolic extract. Regarding the MIC, it is 6.25 mg/ml for the two strains. Concerning MBC, the results showed that the extracts are bacteriostatic in nature against Citrobacter freundii and Enterococcus faecalis . Thus, Tamarix africana seems to be a potential source of active molecules that could constitute a new alternative for medical and industrial use.