Phytochemistry: Research on Isolation, Identification, and Purification

Phytochemistry: Research on Isolation, Identification, and Purification of New Antimicrobial Compounds from Common and Available Herbs in the Mediterranean Area and in the UK

Since ancient times the healing powers of plants has been sought and plant derived substances "have recently become of great interest owing to their versatile applications." (Das, Tiwari, and Shrivastava, 2010, p.104) Medicinal plants have been used historically as remedies for human diseases and as such "offer a new source of biologically active chemical compound as antimicrobial agent." (Das, Tiwari, and Shrivastava, 2010, p.104) Estimates state that 14-28% of higher plant species are used medicinally and that 74$ of pharmacologically active plant derived components were discovered after following up on ethno medicinal use of the plants." (Das, Tiwari, and Shrivastava, 2010, p.104) The work of Duman et al. (2009) reports that one of the most edible of all fruits and one of the oldest known is that of the Punica granatum L., or the pomegranate. This fruit is referenced in both the Bible and the Koran, is associated with fertility, and is native to "Persia" then spreading "into Asia, North Africa and Mediterranean Europe, including Turkey." (Duman, et al., 2009, p.1809) Pomegranate has been used widely in treating various diseases including such as "acidosis, dysentery, microbial infections, diarrhea, helminthiasis, hemorrhage, and respiratory pathologies." (Duman, et al., 2009, p.1809) In addition, pomegranate extracts have been used effectively against the herpes virus and hydroalcoholic extracts of whole fruits have exhibited high activity against the influenza virus." (Duman, et al., 2009, p.1809) Furthermore, pomegranate contains antioxidant properties due to containing antioxidant phenolics and anthocyanins and extracts from this fruit are reported to possess "strong in vitro antibacterial activity against many bacterial strains tested as well as inhibiting and delaying Staphylococcus aureus growth and subsequent enterotoxin production at certain concentrations. (Duman, et al., 2009, paraphrased)

Objective

The objective of the proposed study is to ascertain the potential of identification, purification, and use of plants and herbs containing antimicrobial compounds specifically those located in the Mediterranean area and in the UK.

Significance

The significance of the research proposed is in the benefits that will be derived from the knowledge of the use of such plants and herbs containing antimicrobial properties in the treatment of disease.

Research Questions

(1) What research exists on the purification of new antimicrobial compounds from common and available herbs in the Mediterranean Area and in the UK?

(2) Are there plant species known among indigenous populations in the Mediterranean and the UK that have not yet been tested for their antimicrobial properties?