Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF LEAVES OF RHEUM PALAESTINUM FEINBRUN

Khaled Taha Muhammad Abu Thaher*

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Abstract

This study aims to shed light on the Palestinian rhubarb plant (Rheum palaestinum), belonging to the Polygonaceae family, in terms of the chemical composition of the leaves and their anti-bacterial and antifungal medicinal effects. As a result of the chemical study of various extracts of Palestinian rhubarb (Rheum palaestinum) leaves using specific chemical reactions and multiple types of chromatography, the presence of anthraquinone derivatives, flavonoid derivatives, tannins, organic acids, phenolic carboxylic compounds, and amino acids was proven. As a result of the chemical examination of biologically active compounds from the leaves of the Palestinian rhubarb plant, using multiple types of chromatography and based on the (Rf) values and the color of the dye before and after treatment with special reagents, and in comparison with reliable samples, the following compounds were identified and isolated: anthraquinone (chrysophanol), flavonouid (rutin, hyperoside, myricetin, quercetin), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic) and organic acids (citric, malic). Microbiological studies conducted on the aqueous -alcoholic extract of Palestinian rhubarb leaves indicate the presence of antimicrobial activity, especially against Gramnegative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922), spore cultures (Bacillus subtilis) and antifungal activity especially against yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida albicans. (White ATCC 885-653).

Keywords: Phytochemical study, Antibacterial and Antifungal activity, Rheum palaestinum Feinbrun.