Physicochemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Potentials of Tridax procumbens L

Abstract: - This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the medicinal potential of Tridax procumbens, focusing on the physicochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of its aqueous, ethanolic, and petroleum ether extracts. Phytochemical screening revealed that all extracts contained multiple bioactive compounds, namely, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, with the petroleum ether extract exhibiting the most consistent presence across plant parts. The effect of the extracts were tested on Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp and the yeast Candida albicans. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated notable zones of inhibition against the bacterial and fungal pathogens, with petroleum ether extracts of dried plant parts showing the highest efficacy. E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans were particularly susceptible. The findings highlight the potential of T. procumbens as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent and accentuate the importance of solvent type and plant part in determining phytochemical richness and therapeutic efficacy. This study provides more information on the constituents of different essential parts of the Tridax procumbens and confirms its use in the treatment of some ailments especially where the plant is ubiquitous.