European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTY OF THE SEMI-PURIFIED TANNIN EXTRACT OF MAHOGANY (SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA) LEAVES

*Abigail O. Co, Allen Kyle E. Rosos, Patricia Nicole S. Salgado, Ghea Andrea P. Valenzuela, Susan S. Montemayor, RPh, Ph.D. and Mylene S. Andal, RPh, MS Pharm

ABSTRACT

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) also known as Big leaf mahogany from the family of Meliaceae is a deciduous, erect tree growing to a height of 10 meters, with a heavy, dark-green, and dense crown growing in Los Banos and Manila. Its activity considered to be astringent, antipyretic, abortifacient and depurative. There are studies that it can be used as an anticoagulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, cytotoxic, gastroprotective and hepatoprotective properties. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the tannin extract from the leaves of Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). The mahogany leaves were macerated in 20% ethanol then isolated using separatory funnel that contains Diethyl Ether to get the tannin extract. Afterwards, the tannin extract solution was placed on a tared beaker, and was evaporated to incipient drynessover a water bath to remove other constituents of the sample. The antimicrobial activity of the tannin extracted and isolated from Mahogany was tested on three microbial strains, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus by agar well diffusion method. In the biological assay, the tannin concentrations of 250mg/mL, 500 mg/mL, and 1000 mg/mL obtained a zone of inhibition of more than 19mm on the three microbial strains, indicating an active antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of the tannin extract was compared to the standard antibiotic (Cefepime HCl) and antifungal (Nystatin) drugs. As the concentration increases the effectivity also increases. Based on the result gathered, it shows that it has a potential antifungal effect rather than antibacterial effect.

Keywords: Swientenia macrophylla, Antimicrobial, Tannins.