Biochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of the pods extract of Sudanese carob (Ceratonia silique L.)

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activity of the carob, Ceratonia silique L., (Cs). Mature fruits of Cs trees were randomly collected, and dried in grounded into fine powder. Phytochemical, amino acids, and antimicrobial activity analyses were then applied. The Cs fruits displayed high amounts of terpenoids and moderate amounts of flavonoids and steroids. The pods contained seventeen amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids (histidine, valine, threonine, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, arginine, and methionine). The remaining eight amino acids were nonessential. Serine displayed a low level (0.63 µg/ml), whereas proline was the most abundant amino acid (232.38 µg/ml). The ethanol extracts of CS pods at a concentration of 100% displayed noticeable activity against the microorganisms utilized in this study (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli). Active inhibition was also observed when using 80% concentration for all organisms except Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus subtilis. It is concluded that the extracts of Cs can be considered a good source of amino acids. The plant also had significant antibacterial activity.