ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHYLACETATE SEED

EXTRACT OF ABRUSPRECATORIUS

BY

JUSTINA SAMUEL

(FUKU/SCI/20/MCB/0079)

RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL

SCIENCES, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF KASHERE, GOMBE STATE, IN
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE (B.SC) DEGREE IN BIOLOGY.

AUGUST,2025

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 DECLARATION

I, Justina Samuel, hereby, declare that this work is a product of my own research efforts,
undertaken under the supervision of Mr. T.S. Tyohemba and it has not been presented and will
not be presented elsewhere for the award of a degree certificate. All sources have been duly
acknowledged.

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Justina Samuel Date

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 CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that this research project titled; Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of
ethylacetate seed of extract of Abrusprecatorious, contained herein was carried out and written
by me Justina Samuel of the Department of Biological Sciences with Matriculation Number;
FUKU/SCI/20/MCB/0079 meets the requirements for the award of Degree of Bachelor of
Science (B.Sc) biology, Federal University, Kashere and is approved for its contribution to
knowledge and literary presentation.

----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
MR. T.S TYOHEMBA Date
(Supervisor)

-------------------------------- ------------------------------------------

Dr. Kolawole O. Saheed Date

(Head of Department)

----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
(External Examiner) Date

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 DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to Almighty God and acknowledge the invaluable support of my parents,
who have been my constant source of strength and inspiration throughout my academic journey.
Their unwavering support, encouraging words, and guidance have been instrumental in helping
me overcome numerous challenges and achieve my goals, and I am forever grateful for their
selfless efforts and dedication.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, my profound gratitude goes to God Almighty for seeing me throughout the cause of my

undergraduate studies and this research work. I would like to sincerely acknowledge MR. T.

STYOHEMBA for his endless support and advices; both as a lecturer and my supervisor in

making sure that this research work is a success.

I also appreciate my parent and Siblings for their countless love, support and encouragement

throughout this work.

My sincere appreciation also to the all lecturers and H.O.D (Dr. Kolawole O. Saheed) of the

Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Kashere for their support and impact

of knowledge.

Finally, to all those who in one way or the other rendered any form of support during the course
of my study in this great institution. God bless you all.

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 ABSTRACT

Background:Plant-derived polyphenolshave attracted increasing attention because of their the

rapeutic potential in addressing oxidative stress and multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Abrusprecatorius, a widely used ethnomedicinal plant, is known for its diver sepharmacological
activities, yet the bioactive potential of its ethylacetateseed extract remains in adequately
studied. Given the global increaseingram-negative bacterial resistance and oxidative stress-
related diseases, natural plant-based alternatives to conventional the rapies are urgently
required.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the
ethylacetateseed extract of Abrusprecatorius against pathogenicbacteria and relate these
bioactivities to their phenolic and flavonoid content.

Materials and Methods: Seeds were collected, authenticated, dried, and extracted using
ethylacetatemaceration. Phytochemical constituents were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu
and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed using
DPPH(2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferricion reducing antioxidant power)
assays, while antibacterial efficacy against gram-negative strains of Escherichiacoli,
Pseudomonasaeruginosa, and Salmonellatyphi was evaluated via disc diffusion using
augmentinasa standard. The inhibition zones, IC50, and EC50 values were determined.

Results:The extract displayed concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, producing

inhibition zones of 10.01±0.2mm (E.coli),10.03±0.3mm (S.typhi), and 12.13±0.4mm
(P.aeruginosa) at 100μg/mL. No significant antibacterial effect was observed at concentrations
below 50μg/mL, establishing at her apeutic threshold. Augmentin (30μg/mL) showed superior
inhibition (19mm), confirming its moderate but relevant efficacy. Antioxidant as says revealed
that DPPH scavenging activity increased from 18.97% to 62.04% at 100–500μg/mL, withan IC
50 of 394.94±3.5μg/mL. The FRAP as say results exhibited as imilar pattern, with are deduction
of 40.55% at 500μg/mL and an EC50 of 350.14±2.2μg/mL. In contrast, ascorbicacid achieved
over 90% inhibition with an EC50 of 292.39±10.4μg/mL. Phytochemical analysis confirmed
high levels of phenolics (11624.71±3.34μgGAE/g) and flavonoids (2825.34±4.43μgQE/g),
supporting the bioactivity of the extract.

Conclusion:The ethylacetateseed extract of Abrusprecatorius exhibited significant

yetmoderateantioxidant and antibacterial activities, attributable to its richpoly phenolic
composition. Although lesspotentthan ascorbicacid and standard antibiotics, its traditional use,
safety, and dual the rapeutic potential underscores its value in addressing oxidative stress and
antimicrobial resistance. These results suggest the need to isolate and characterize specific
bioactive compounds, conduct thorough studies on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms
responsible for the effects of the extract, and perform invivotesting to fully realize its
pharmacological potential for developing evidence-based the rapies.

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 TABLEOFCONTENTS
Title page……………………………………...………….……………………………………....i

Declaration……………………………………...………………………………………………....ii

Certification…………………………..………………...………………………………………..iii

Dedication…..…………………………………….………...…………………………………….iv

Acknowledgement……………………………………….……………………………………..…v

Abstract……………………………………………………….…………………………………..vi

Table of content……………………………………....………………………………………….vii

References……………………………………………………………….……………………….39

List of figures

List of tables

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………1

1.1 Background of the Study……………………………………………………………………...1

1.2 Statement of Research Problem…...………………………………………...………………...3

1.3 Justification……………………………………………………………………………………4

1.4 Aims and Objectives……………………………………………………………...…………...5

CHAPTER TWO

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2.0 Literature Review……………………………………………………………………..……….7

2.1Taxonomic Classification..….…………………………………………………………….…..7

2.2 Geographical distribution………………………..….....………….………….……………….8

2.3 Ethnomedicinal uses…..……………………….………………..…………….……………..8

2.4 Ancient Uses……….…...………………………………………………………………..….9

2.5 Ethnopharmacology………………………..………………………..………………………11

2.6 Phytochemistry………………………...…………..………………………….……….……12

2.7 Pharmacological activities…………………………………………………………………..14

2.7.1 Antimicrobial activity…………………………………………..…………………………14

2.7.2 Antioxidant activity……………………………….……….……………….....................15

2.7.4 Hepatoprotective activity………………………………………………………...………15

2.7.5 Anti-inflammatory and healing of wound………………………………………………..15

2.7.6 Antimalarial activity……………………………………………………………………..16

2.7.7Anti-fertility activity……………………………………………………………………....16

2.7.8Tumorinhibiting activity………………………………………………………………….17

2.7.9Anti-allergic activity………………………………………………………………………17

2.7.10Anti-inflammatory activity……………………………………………………………….18

2.7.11Antispermatogenic effect…………………………………………………………………18

2.7.12Bronchodilator activity…………………………………………………………………...18

2.7.13Anti-arthritic activity……………………………………………………………………..19

2.7.14Immunomodulatin gactivity………………………………………………………………20

2.7.15Immunstimulatory effects………………………………………………………………..21

2.7.16Memoryenhancer activity………………………………………………………………..21

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2.7.17Anti-cancer activity………………………………………………………………………21

2.7.18Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative……………………………………………………….22

2.8 Toxicity……………………………………………………………………………………...23

2.9 Future Prospects…………………………………………………….……………………….24

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods……………………………………………………………………….24

3.1 Study Area…………………………………………...………………………………………24

3.2 Collection of Seeds of Abrusprecatorius...…………………………………………………25

3.3 Extraction…………………………………………………………..………………………..25

3.4 Determination of the Total Phenolic Content(Tpc)………………………………………...25

3.5 Determination of the Total Flavonoid Content(Tfc)………………………………………..26

3.6 Antioxidant Assays…………………………………………………………………………..26

3.7 Ferricion reducing antioxidant power(FRAP)……………………………………………27

3.8 Antibacterial Assay…………………………………………………………………...……..28

3.9 Data Analysis………………………………………………………………………………...29

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results………………………………………………………………………….…………….30

4.1 Antibacterial Activity of ethylacetate Seed Extract of Abrusprecatorius……………...…..30

4.2 Antioxidant Activity Assessment……………………………………………………………32

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4.2.1DPPHRadical Scavenging Activity...……………………………………………………..32

4.2.2Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power(FRAP) Assay……………………………………….33

4.3Phytochemical Composition Analysis……………………………………………………….34

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, Conclusion and Summary………………………………………………………36

5.1 Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………36

5.2 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...42

5.3 Recommendation…………...………………………………………………………………..42

References………………………………………………………………………………………..43

LIST OF FIGURES
Fig.2.1: AbrusprecatoriusL……………………………………………………………………..8

Fig.4.1:DPPH radical Scavenging Activity of the of the ethylacetate seed extracts of

Abrusprecatorius………………………………………………………………………………32

Fig.4.2: Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) Assay of the ethylacetate seed extracts of

Abrusprecatorius……………………………….……………….…………….……………………...33

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 LISTS OF TABLES
Table4.1: The antibacterial activity of the ethylacetate seed extracts of Abrusprecatorius against

selected bacterial isolates………….……………………………………………………………..24

Table4.2: Quantitative assessment of antioxidant activities, phenolic and flavonoid content in

ethylacetate seed extracts of Abrusprecatorius….………………………….…………………..27

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