Infrared characterization and anti-tubercular evaluation of gallic acid isolated from Mimusops elengi (Bakula)

With the growing challenge of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, there is an urgent need to find new, effective treatment options-especially from plant-based sources. This study focuses on Mimusops elengi (Bakula), a medicinal plant long used in traditional remedies, to explore its potential in tuberculosis treatment. Leaves of the plant were used to isolate gallic acid, a natural phenolic compound known for its antimicrobial potential. The structure of gallic acid was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which identified key functional groups typical of this compound. The isolated gallic acid was then tested against the H37Rv strain of M. tuberculosis using the Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA). Results showed that gallic acid inhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting strong anti-tubercular activity. These findings highlight M. elengi as a promising natural source for developing new tuberculosis treatments.