Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Biochemical composition, fatty acid profile and bioactive properties of Sesbania grandiflora: antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy of leaves and flowers
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Research Articles | Published: 27 May, 2026
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Keywords: Phytochemicals, ω-6 Linolenic acid, n Staphylococcus aureusn , PI staining
Abstract
Sesbania grandiflora is an edible plant utilized in traditional Ayurvedic formulations for its therapeutic properties. This study investigates the nutritional, fatty acid profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of leaves and flowers of S. grandiflora. Proximate analysis revealed higher carbohydrate (6.79 ± 0.6%) and protein (2.37 ± 0.1%) contents in the flowers compared to the leaves. Fatty acid profile of leaves and flowers showed higher concentrations of ω-6 Linolenic Acid and palmitic acids which are known for their antimicrobial properties. Antioxidant assays indicated the leaf extracts with superior antioxidant activity (IC50 94.15 ± 0.12 µg/mL) compared to flower extracts (IC50 130.84 ± 0.32 µg/mL) likely due to higher levels of phytochemicals. Antimicrobial tests revealed that flower extracts had significantly higher inhibition zones than leaf extracts, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio spp. Fluorescence microscopy and SEM analyses confirmed the bactericidal effect of flower fatty acids, showing membrane damage and bacterial cell lysis. These findings highlight the substantial nutritional value, strong antioxidant potential of S. grandiflora leaves and potent antimicrobial properties of its flowers, suggesting potential applications in food security and therapeutic development.
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Author Information
Department of Biotechnology, Nehru College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, India