Antibacterial Activities of Extracts from Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm
Session Number
Project ID: CHEM 08
Advisor(s)
Dr. John Thurmond; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Chemistry
Start Date
22-4-2020 8:50 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 9:05 AM
Abstract
In developing countries, people with severe/chronic illnesses rely on medicinal plants. Unfortunately, very little is known about the chemical composition of these plants, meaning their effect on diseases is unknown. One popular medicinal plant in South Africa is the African Potato, which is used to treat Tuberculosis and other maladies. Many uses have been cited for the plant, but few studies have been conducted to confirm the plant’s effectiveness. This study explored it’s claimed uses by looking at the chemical properties of the plant. Samples of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm were extracted using various techniques and then tested using thin layer chromatography. The properties of the extracts were analyzed by testing their antimicrobial properties against multiple ESKAPE pathogens using the Kirby-Bauer method. Extraction using sonication was used during testing for total phenolic, saponin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoid content. We chose our most effective extract, our capsule sample in ethyl acetate, and ran NMR and IR spectroscopy to determine the characteristics of the compounds in Hypoxis hemerocallidea. The drug discovery process is very long and costly so by basing the drug design off of the structure and properties of the plant it will decrease the cost and time it takes to design a new drug.
Antibacterial Activities of Extracts from Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm
In developing countries, people with severe/chronic illnesses rely on medicinal plants. Unfortunately, very little is known about the chemical composition of these plants, meaning their effect on diseases is unknown. One popular medicinal plant in South Africa is the African Potato, which is used to treat Tuberculosis and other maladies. Many uses have been cited for the plant, but few studies have been conducted to confirm the plant’s effectiveness. This study explored it’s claimed uses by looking at the chemical properties of the plant. Samples of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm were extracted using various techniques and then tested using thin layer chromatography. The properties of the extracts were analyzed by testing their antimicrobial properties against multiple ESKAPE pathogens using the Kirby-Bauer method. Extraction using sonication was used during testing for total phenolic, saponin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoid content. We chose our most effective extract, our capsule sample in ethyl acetate, and ran NMR and IR spectroscopy to determine the characteristics of the compounds in Hypoxis hemerocallidea. The drug discovery process is very long and costly so by basing the drug design off of the structure and properties of the plant it will decrease the cost and time it takes to design a new drug.