Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Genista quadriflora (G.Q) Plant Extracts

Abstract

In the framework of the valorization of the plants of Morocco and in order to optimize the subsequent use of the plant Genista quadriflora (Fabaceae) in Morocco, extracts were prepared from the plant using solvents of increasing polarity to emphasize their antioxidant potency and antimicrobial activity. The evaluation of the antioxidant power, using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method, indicated by qualitative analysis of the extracts either by thin layer chromatography (TLC) or by color reaction, that the extracts (aqueous and methanol) have an antioxidant effect varies between 70% and 80%. As regards the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) scavenging values of the DPPH radical, the two extracts showed an inhibitory activity with IC50 at around 12.5 mg/ml. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This evaluation showed that the methanol extracts are the most active for all the strains tested and revealed a significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.