Evaluation of
Antimicrobial Potential and GC-MS Profiling of Bioactive Compounds conferring antimicrobial
potential in Achyranthes aspera L.
Mishra A., Khangarot K., Bhardwaj R., Singh B. and Sharma R.A.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(7); 33-42;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/207rjbt033042; (2025)
Abstract
Achyranthes aspera L., commonly known as prickly chaff flower or devil’s horsewhip,
is an annual or perennial herb of the Amaranthaceae family that grows up to a height
of 1 meter. Achyranthes aspera has a wide geographical distribution across the globe.
It is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia and the
USA. The plant thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, wastelands,
roadsides and agricultural fields. Even though the plant has been categorized as
a weed, it possesses a range of pharmacological properties. Various parts of the
plant such as the roots, leaves and seeds, have been used to treat a range of ailments
including inflammation, gastrointestinal issues and skin conditions. The aim of
the current study was to assess the potential antimicrobial activities of the methanolic
inflorescence extract of A. aspera by determining the susceptibilities of various
strains of microbes, Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus;
Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal strains
Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata assessed
by disc-diffusion assay.
The bioactive compounds of the methanolic inflorescence extract were profiled using
gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The methanolic extract exhibited relatively
significant antifungal activity compared to antibacterial activity. The highest
antimicrobial activity was exhibited against fungal strain C. albicans. The GC-MS
profile of the extract revealed the presence of bioactive constituents like cis-9-hexadecenal
(4.63 %), n-Hexadecanoic acid (3.07 %), 1,3-Propanediol, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-nitro-
(2.26 %), acetophenone (2.22 %), stigmasterol (1.47 %), gamma-sitosterol (1.07 %).
The presented research provides evidence to substantiate the use of the plant as
a nutraceutical agent against tested microbial strains.
