Study of Potential Phenolic Compounds from Stems of Dendrophthoe Falcata (Loranthaceae) Plant as Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agents

Dendrophthoe falcata is a hemiparasitic plant that has been used in traditional medicine.The study was conducted to identify the total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, to test antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract stems of D. falcata parasite on Melia azedarach host tree. The dry powder stems of D. falcata was extracted with ethanol. The ethanol extract was subsequently partitioned successively using n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Each fraction was analyzed by a quantitative phenolic and flavonoid content with spectrophotometer method, and tested as antioxidant and antimicrobial activites. Antioxidant activity was performed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) method, while antimicrobial assay used pathogenic bacteria by disk-diffusion method. The results concluded that the stem of D. falcata plant showed a high content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, very high antioxidant and moderate antimicrobial activities. It was also found that stems of D. falcata contain potential phenolic compounds that can be used as natural antioxidants and the treatment of various infections caused by microbes.