Phenolic Profiling and Antimicrobial Studies of Fagonia cretica native to Pakistan

The discovery of novel and more efficient antimicrobial agents from natural sources like plants is one of the most important ways through which the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens can be overcome. Herein, we report the potential antimicrobial activity and phenolic profiling of Fagonia cretica. Phenolic profiling was performed by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed major phenolic compounds were gallic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, catechin, and kaempferol in methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate fractions in various quantities comparatively others. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed using the disc diffusion method and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration; zones of inhibition and minimum extract concentration were used as indicators of antimicrobial activity. The maximum zones of inhibition(mm) was found to be 23mm of butanol fraction against E. coli, 27mm of ethanol fraction against P. multocida, against S.aureus found to be 20 mm of ethanol fraction, against B. subtilus while it was 27mm of butanol fraction respectively. Similarly against fungi i.e A. niger maximum zone of inhibition was found to be 21mm, in butanol fraction, against A .flavus, A. fusarium and F. soloni ethanol fraction showed 25 mm, 24 mm, and 22 mm inhibition one respectively. Similarly, minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations were found to be of methanol, ethanol, and butanol fractions comparatively acetone, benzene, and ethyl acetate fractions of Fagonia cretica extracts. These results offer insights into the antimicrobial potency of this Pakistan local plant and provide a basis for further phytochemical and pharmacological research.