Antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil and characterize the physicochemical properties. Seeds were collected from the local central market, Khartoum-Sudan (2019). The samples were dried under shade and grinded, then the oil was extracted with a Soxhlet extractor using n-hexane. The percentage yield of the extract was found to be 25.64%. The seed oil was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (G-), Escherichia coli (G-), Bacillus subtilis (G+), Staphylococcus aureus (G+), and Candida albicans to assess their antimicrobial properties. The extract of B. aegyptiaca seed oil has antimicrobial activity against most of the organisms tested. The fatty acid profile of the B. aegyptiaca seed oil was analyzed by GC/MS. The results revealed that the presence of five fatty acids, including saturated linoleic acid, oleic acid, and unsaturated palmate and stearic acids, also a unique antioxidant compound butylated hydroxytoluene. The physiochemical properties of the seed oil showed that the oil contained kinetic viscosity (57 cp), density (0.917 g/cm3), refractive index (1.472), acid value (49.96 mg/kg), saponification value (248.75 mg/g), ester number (234.79 mg/kg) and peroxide number (0.02 mg/kg). Through physiochemical analysis, it was found that oil can be used for human consumption due to the percentage yield of unsaturated acids (81%). In addition, the results of the antioxidant activity of the seeds oil showed that the seed oil had moderate antioxidant activity.

Investigation of Potential In Vitro Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Fruit Extract and Its Phytochemical Components

“…Recent studies have confirmed the medicinal use of different extracts of B. aegyptiaca fruits in the treatment of hyperactive gut disorders [ 19 ], diabetes mellitus [ 20 ], hyperglycemia [ 21 ], and dermatophytes [ 22 ]. The antibacterial activity of B. aegyptiaca fruit extract has been reported by several previous studies against a number of fungal and bacterial species [ 3 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. These effects are ascribed to phytochemicals detected in the extract including palmitic acid [ 28 , 29 ] and hexadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester.…”

“…These results indicate that B. aegyptiaca fruit extract is a potent antimicrobial agent according to the categories reported by Kuete [ 50 ] classifying substances with MICs below 0.1 mg/mL as potent antimicrobial agents. The antibacterial activity of B. aegyptiaca fruit extract has been reported by several previous studies against a number of fungal and bacterial species such as Candida albicans and Staphyloccous aureus [ 3 , 25 ], Aspergillus [ 3 , 23 , 24 ], Fusarium [ 26 , 27 ] and dermatophytes [ 22 ]. This effect is related to the bioactive phytochemicals detected in the extract mainly oleic and palmitic acids which were the prevalent components recording 24.12 and 21.56%, respectively.…”