Analysis of minerals and phytochemicals in the leaves of the Ocimum kilimandscharicum plant using spectroscopic methods and screening of antibacterial activity.

Abstract

This study presents an innovative X-ray diffraction (XRD) application to identify minerals in the medicinal plant Ocimum kilimandscharicum. Additionally, this study includes the analysis of chemical compounds and screening antibacterial activity in the leaf extract, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction showed that the leaves are a rich source of minerals such as oxides of Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the leaf extract of Ocimum kilimandscharicum possesses Eugenol (27.53%), Camphor (16.91%), Thujopsene (13.53%) as major components and UV-visible studies showed the existence of Phytochemicals such as chromophores, carotenoids, and chlorophyll. The ethanol extract of leaves showed antimicrobial activity against four microorganisms. It significantly inhibited Bacillus subtilis, E.Coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, surpassing the positive control streptomycin. These findings suggest the potential of using leaves of Ocimum kilimandscharicum for curing infectious diseases and can be used as a mineral supplement.