Antibacterial Properties of Alabama Wildflowers: A Preliminary Study using the Kirby-Bauer Test
Date
2-18-2025
Faculty Mentor
Jimmy Triplett, Biology
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
10:45-10:55 am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
Please note: no video is available for this presentation.
Plants have been used for medicinal purposes throughout recorded history, with evidence dating back 5,000 years on their usefulness for a diversity of ailments, and as a source of conventional and alternative medicines. The current study examines the antibacterial properties of leaves from seven native or naturalized plant species collected on or near the Jacksonville State University (JSU) campus in Alabama. The species include Southern Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum var. puberulum), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima), Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), Common Dog Fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), and Eastern Rabbit Tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium). Phytochemicals were extracted using four solvents—methanol, ethanol, ether, and nuclease-free water—and tested for antibacterial activity using the Kirby-Bauer disk diƯusion assay against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. The strongest inhibition was observed against Bacillus subtilis, with Common Evening Primrose and Common Dog Fennel exhibiting the greatest antibacterial eƯects. Ether and methanol extracts demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity, with seven instances of successful inhibition each, followed by ethanol with six. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that Common Evening Primrose and Common Dog Fennel contain antibacterial compounds, likely terpenoids and/or alkaloids. These results are especially noteworthy since little previous research has been done on the medicinal properties of Dog Fennel.
Keywords
student research, biology
Rights
This content is the property of Jacksonville State University and is intended for non-commercial use. Video and images may be copied for personal use, research, teaching or any "fair use" as defined by copyright law. Users are asked to acknowledge Jacksonville State University. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@jsu.edu.
Disciplines
Biology
Recommended Citation
Walker, Hannah, "Antibacterial Properties of Alabama Wildflowers: A Preliminary Study using the Kirby-Bauer Test" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 55.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/55
