Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum: An in-vitro study

Due to various antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, plants are considered valuable sources. Ferula gummosa Boiss plant is one of the most important species of the Apiaceae family and is scattered in the eastern and western regions of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum.

The levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and the antioxidant capacity (by the iron reduction and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging methods) were determined in this laboratory study. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined for some bacteria. Data analysis was performed using a factorial experiment within a completely randomized design, and Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare the means.

The highest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in methanol extract were (53.21±2.43 mg GAE/g dw) and (38.42±1.78 mg QE/g dw), respectively. The highest percentage of free radical scavenging and iron reduction power related to the methanolic extract was 96.43±3.56% and 1.963±0.012 µg/ml, respectively. Antimicrobial activity using the disk diffusion method and the MIC of Bacillus subtilis bacteria in all three extracts showed the most sensitivity compared to other bacteria.

The results of this study showed that the methanolic extract of the Ferula gummosa Boiss plant had antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, and higher phenolic and flavonoid content than the ethanolic and aqueous extracts.