PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF TECOMA STANS FLOWERS

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to screen phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extract from Tecoma stans flowers. The ethanolic extract of T. stans flowers demonstrated antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and β-carotene-bleaching models. The extract exhibited a dose dependent reductive ability. The ethanolic extract of flowers of this species showed strong antimicrobial activity also and was effective against tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Penicillium sp.). The extract was not effective against Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium sp. and Botrytis sp. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides and saponins in the flower extract. The present findings provide scientific evidence to support the traditional use of Tecoma stans and also indicate that the flowers of this species are a promising potential for the development of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.