Phytochemical and Antifungal Analysis of Root Bark, Inner Seed and Seed Coat Crude Extracts of Jatropa curcas

Abstract

Background: Jatropha curcas, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is known for its medicinal and biofuel applications. Rich in phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, it has shown antimicrobial properties, though its antifungal potential remains underexplored. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of Jatropha curcas root bark, inner seed, and seed coat crude extracts while identifying bioactive compounds responsible for this activity.

Materials and methods: Samples were harvested from Kitui, Kenya, authenticated at the National Museums of Kenya, air-dried, ground, and extracted using hexane and methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical screening employed standard qualitative tests to detect alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins. Antifungal activity was assessed by measuring inhibition zones of different extract concentrations (50 µl/ml and 100 µl/ml) against Candida auris.

Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that glycosides and terpenoids were present in all extracts, while phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and coumarins were mainly detected in methanol extracts. Alkaloids were absent in root bark and seed coat but moderately present in inner seed extracts. Antifungal tests showed that hexane extracts exhibited higher inhibition zones than methanol extracts. Among the plant parts, root bark hexane extract at 100 µl/ml demonstrated the highest antifungal activity, with a 15 mm inhibition zone.

Conclusion: These findings confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in Jatropha curcas with potential antifungal properties. The hexane-extracted root bark exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, suggesting its possible use in developing natural antifungal agents. Further research is recommended to isolate specific active compounds and understand their mechanisms.