Analysis of the Phytochemistry, Antioxidant Properties, and Antibacterial Efficacy of Extracted Rubus rosifolius Sm. (Sampinit)

The objective of the study is to evaluate the phytochemical content (both qualitative and quantitative), free radical scavenging activity utilizing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH), and antibacterial characteristics of unripe Rubus (R.) rosifolius Sm. in vitro. R. rosifolius Sm. is a recently identified wild raspberry in the Philippines, commonly called “Sampinit.” The extracted Sampinit fruits with 80% methanol were analyzed qualitatively for the presence of polyphenols (tannins and flavonoids), steroids (terpenoids), and amino acids (n=3). In a separate aliquot, quantitative phytochemical analysis was conducted. The steroid concentration was 607.98 ± 2.87 mg cholesterol equivalent per gram of sample, polyphenol content was 764.31 ± 11.37 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 grams of sample, and flavonoid concentration was 3.60 ± 0.21 mg quercetin equivalent per gram of sample. The consistency of the extraction method was verified by using high-performance chromatography which exhibited comparable chromatograms and retention time for the injected samples. The average DPPH scavenging activity of the methanolic extract was 92.83% (± 0.16), in contrast to the positive control (beta hydroxycarboxylic acid or BHA) activity of 87.64% (± 9.77). The extract had antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus but showed no action against Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our findings indicate that unripe Sampinit may serve as abundant sources of phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which possess natural antioxidant and antibacterial properties, with potential usage in various inflammatory diseases such as lung inflammation, cancer, and metabolic disorders.