Determination of phytochemicals,antibacterial and phytotoxic potential of Desert cotton (Aerva javanica)

Abstract

Traditional medicine plants include various chemicals that can be exploited to treat chronic and infectious conditions. The Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. ex Schult. is commonly called kapok bush or desert cotton. It is a perennial herb distributed in
Pakistan and elsewhere in the world (Middle East, Africa, and tropical Asian countries). Due to the vast indigenous use, Aerva javanica was analyzed for its chemical constituents using GC-MS and EDX. Aerva javanica extracts (n-hexane, methanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform) were also examined for antibacterial (Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) and allelopathic activity. The results revealed that 20 mg/mL of each tested plant extract inhibited the growth of all pathogenic bacterial strains. The crude ethyl acetate extract inhibited the growth of S. typhi, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whereas to limit the growth of E. coli, the methanolic extract of the plant was most suitable. The n-hexane fraction against S. typhi also showed a moderate level of inhibition while it showed resistivity against
chloroform extract even at higher concentrations. The extracts also exhibited phytotoxic potential and significantly reduced the
% germination, shoot length, and root length of Lactuca sativa Linn. In the GCMS analysis, 8 compounds were detected
including 2-Bromooctadecanal (RT: 6.78), Methyl cedryl ether (RT: 11.76), Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)methyl (RT:
12.28), 1H-Indene, 2-butyl-5-hexyloctahydro (RT: 15.22), Lamotrigine (RT: 19.00), 1,54-dibromo tetrapentacontane (RT:
21.47), Pentatriacontane (RT: 22.02) and Stearic acid, 3-(octadecyloxy)propyl ester (RT: 24.40). EDX analysis shows that A.
javanica contains different elements, of which Cu was the highest and Ni was the lowest. The current investigation identified
novel biologically active phytochemicals in A. javanica. This plant can be exploited against several antibiotic
resistant microorganisms due to its remarkable antibacterial potential. Furthermore, the phytotoxic application of this plant
allowed it to be consume to combat a variety of weeds.