Effects of extraction solvents on the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of soursop (Annona muricata L.) leaf extracts

Abstract

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) leaves contain various bioactive compounds; however, the effects of different extraction solvents have not been thoroughly studied. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition as well as antibacterial and antifungal activities of soursop leaf extracts obtained using various solvents. The results showed that among the six tested solvents, the aqueous extract exhibited the highest yield (7.33%), whereas the n-hexane extract had the lowest yield (3.55%). The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, triterpenoids, and steroids depended on the solvent used. The compound (Z)-13-docosenamide (m/z=337) was identified for the first time in the extracts obtained with ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, the aqueous extract demonstrated the most potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with a zone of inhibition of 12.0 and 11.0 mm, respectively, whereas the n-hexane extract displayed no antibacterial activity. Additionally, the ethyl acetate extract showcased the strongest antifungal effect against Candida albicans ATCC 26790 with a zone of inhibition of 12.7 mm.