Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of wildflower extracts from northern Sinaloa, Mexico.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56152/StevianaFacenV18N1A3_2026Keywords:
ethnobotany , phenolic compounds, secondary metabolitesAbstract
Northern Sinaloa, Mexico, harbors a rich diversity of wild floral species whose phytochemical potential has not been previously explored. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts obtained from wild flower species, including Albizia lebbeck, Boerhavia coccinea, Combretum indicum, Hylocereus undatus, Melampodium divaricatum, Vitex trifoliaand Yucca schidigera. The extracts were prepared using ultrasound-assisted solid–liquid extraction. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, as well as total phenolic content determination by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The results showed that the methanolic extract of B. coccinea exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 16.4 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀ = 75.1 µg/mL) and the highest phenolic content (326.6 ± 1.67 mg GAE/g extract). The methanolic extract of C. indicum also displayed notable antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 63.1 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀ = 92.86 µg/mL; 208.5 ± 9.1 mg GAE/g extract). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli ATCC, and Escherichia coli EAEC, revealing significant inhibition zones for several extracts. In addition, the extracts demonstrated protective activity against AAPH-induced hemolysis. These findings indicate that wild flowers from northern Sinaloa represent a promising source of secondary metabolites with multiple bioactivities, highlighting B. coccinea and C. indicum as strong candidates for further phytochemical studies and the development of natural bioactive products.
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