Fresh Leaf Extracts of Selected Philippine Medicinal Plants: Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity Against Escherichia coli
Rachelle Ann Aranda, Jonar Yago
Received: 26 July 2026; Revised: 31 August 2026; Accepted: 07 September 2026; Published: 13 September 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.66074/M1Q5H8F2T
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli have become an increasing public health concern due to antibiotic resistance. This study focused on the antibacterial properties of fresh leaf extracts of five Philippine medicinal plants, with special focus on aratilis (Muntingia calabura), and aimed to evaluate and compare the phytochemical constituents and the antibacterial effects of crude leaf extracts against Escherichia coli. Using the manual maceration method, fresh leaf extracts of guyabano (Annona muricata), alugbati (Basella alba), aratilis (Muntingia calabura), bignay (Antidesma bunius), and banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) were prepared. Phytochemical screening was performed using qualitative assays, and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed and compared inferentially to assess the effectiveness of the two treatments in terms of diameter. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and steroids. Among the plant extracts, only aratilis exhibited antibacterial activity, with a mean inhibition zone of 7.49 ± 0.30 mm, while cefuroxime produced the largest observed mean zone of inhibition of 13.59 ± 1.14mm. The independent samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the treatments, t(4) = 8.970, p < .001. Cefuroxime produced larger inhibition zones than aratilis, though it demonstrated measurable antibacterial activity against E. coli. The presence of tannins and flavonoids in aratilis was shown to confer modest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli compared to cefuroxime. The findings strengthen the potential and viability of aratilis as a candidate for further phytochemical and pharmacological research.
Keywords: antibacterial activity, antimicrobial resistance, flavonoids, Muntingia calabura, phytochemical constituents, tannins
Author Information: Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines; arandarachelleann@gmail.com
Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2026