Analysis of minerals and phytochemicals in the leaves of the <i>Ocimum kilimandscharicum</i> plant using spectroscopic methods and screening of antibacterial activity

This study presents an innovative X-ray diffraction (XRD) application to identify minerals in the medicinal plant <i>Ocimum kilimandscharicum</i>. Additionally, this study includes the analysis of chemical compounds and screening antibacterial activity in the leaf extract, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction showed that the leaves are a rich source of minerals such as oxides of Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the leaf extract of <i>Ocimum kilimandscharicum</i> possesses Eugenol (27.53%), Camphor (16.91%), Thujopsene (13.53%) as major components and UV-visible studies showed the existence of Phytochemicals such as chromophores, carotenoids, and chlorophyll. The ethanol extract of leaves showed antimicrobial activity against four microorganisms. It significantly inhibited <i>Bacillus subtilis</i><b>,</b> E.Coli, and <i>Staphylococcus aureus,</i> surpassing the positive control streptomycin. These findings suggest the potential of using leaves of <i>Ocimum kilimandscharicum</i> for curing infectious diseases and can be used as a mineral supplement.