Antibacterial Activity of Cordyline fruticosa L.

Ethanolic Leaf Extract

1

Abordo, Ma. Liciel Q.1, Iglesias, Eloisa Marie C.1

Department of Biology, College of Science, Polytechnic
University of the Philippines

Abstract
Cordyline fruticosa L. which is widely known as Good luck plant or
Tungkod- pare in the Philippines is said to have antibacterial properties.
The purpose of this study is to determine which type of bacteria does the
extracts from the sample were tested through disk diffusion method
against the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia
coli with the antibiotic, Streptomycin as the control. Results show
moderate antibacterial effect of the leaf extract against E. coli and massive
antibacterial effect against B. subtilis
sKey words: Cordyline fruticosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli.

Introduction
Cordyline fruticosa L. belongs to the family Asparagaceae, which comprises
more than 480 species distributed to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is
known in the Philippines as Tungkod-pare and Good luck plant (C. fruticosa around
the house was believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck). C. fruticosa is an
evergreen shrub with reddish purple or glossy green leaves. It is native to Southeast
Asia and Papua New Guinea. It is widely used as an ornamental plant but traditionally, it
is used as a treatment of various diseases: the leaves are used to treat sore throat and
neck pain, as haemostatic, and to induce abortion; the roots are used for toothache,
laryngitis and infections of mammary glands.
We postulate that leaf ethanolic extracts of C. fruticosa will inhibit the growth of
Bacillus subtilis and Eschirichia coli under a room temperature for 18-24 hours.
The purpose of this experiment is to determine if C. fruticosa ethanolic leaf
extract has antibacterial activity on Gram positive B. subtilis and Gram negative E. coli
bacteria and to know which type of bacteria it is more effective to. Also, this study aims
to contribute to the few studies and researches that has been conducted about
Cordyline fruticosa.

Methodology
Collection of Plant
Cordyline fruticosa leaves were gathered from Estrella Heights Subdivision in
Rodriguez, Rizal during the month of August 2015.
Extraction
Fresh leaves were washed with water and wiped with clean tissue to remove
unnecessary materials such as soil and dust. The leaves were cut into tiny pieces and
crushed using a blender. 150g of crushed leaves were put in a clean container were
soaked in 150ml of 95% ethanol for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs, the mixture underwent
decantation and filtered using Whatman filter paper. The liquid from the mixture was
nearly put to boil and was cooled.
A 10ml aliquot was diluted to 50% v/v.
Preparation of Paper Disk
For each bacteria, three paper disks were prepared.
Sterile filter paper disks were taken in a petri dish containing the diluted leaf extract.
Another sterile filter paper disks were placed in another petri dish which contains the
concentrated leaf extract. The two sets of disks were submerged in their corresponding
solution for a minute. The same procedure was done for preparing antibiotic paper disks
using Streptomycin.
Inoculation of the MH agar plate
Using a sterile cotton swab, get the microorganism from the mother culture and
inoculate the agar by streaking the swab with the inoculum. Allow the surface of the
medium to dry for 3-5 minutes but not longer than 15 minutes to allow for absorption of
excess moisture.
Two types of bacteria were used: Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram
negative (Escherichia coli).
Placement of the filter paper disks
The plates were divided into three quadrants: quadrant one for 100% leaf extract,
quadrant two for 50% leaf extract and quadrant three for antibiotic.
Using a forceps, place the paper disks into their designated quadrants.
Incubation of the plates
The MH agar plates with bacteria were incubated at room temperature for 24 hrs.

Measuring the zone of inhibition

The zone of inhibition is a clear region around the paper disk which indicates the
sensitivity of bacteria to a drug. Using a ruler, the zone of inhibition was measured in
terms of millimeters while viewing the back of the petri dish.

Results and Discussion

Zone of inhibition
B. subtilis
Quadrant 1 (100% Leaf
extract)
Quadrant 2 (50% Leaf
Extract)
Quadrant 3 (Streptomycin)

E. coli

15 mm

15 mm

20 mm

15 mm

25 mm

30 mm

Table 1. Antibacterial activity of C. fruticosa ethanolic leaf extract

The antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of C. fruticosa at different

concentrations (100% and 50%v/v) against Gram positive B. subtilis and Gram negative
E. coli (Figure 1 and 2) was presented in Table 1. 100% Leaf extract showed activity
against B. subtilis (15mm) and E. coli (15mm, but the inhibition was not very clear, Fig.
1). At 50% leaf extract, it showed activity against B. subtilis (20mm) and E. coli (15mm,
but the inhibition was not very clear, Fig. 1). The Streptomycin showed activity against
B. subtilis (25mm) and E. coli (30mm).

Fig. 2 B.
subtilis moderate antibacterial
Ethanolic leaf extracts of Cordyline fruticosa produced
Fig.1

effect on E. coli. Diameters of the zones of inhibition did not change in different
concentration. This means that the concentration does not affect the antibacterial
activity of the leaf extract. The control (Streptomycin) antibiotic disk created a clear

region of inhibition measuring (30mm). This is because E. coli is Gram negative

bacteria. The Gram-negative cell wall contains a thinner layer of peptidoglycan
surrounded by an outer membrane and Streptomycin crosses the outer cell wall of E.
coli by passive diffusion until it penetrates the intracellular area of the bacteria.

(a)

(b)

Fig. 3 Plates showing the zone of inhibition using C. fruticosa and Streptomycin. (a) E. coli (b)
B. subtilis

For the test in B. subtilis, ethanolic leaf extract shows massive antibacterial
activity. The extract is more efficient when diluted to 50% (20mm) than when
concentrated (15mm) while the control antibiotic (Streptomycin) disk gives a smaller
inhibition zone than in E. coli, measuring 25mm. This is because B. subtilis is a Gram
positive bacteria. Gram positive bacteria contains a thick layer of pepditoglycan in its
cell wall and the thickness of the cell wall inhibits the transport.

Conclusion
Based on the results, Cordyline fruticosa ethanolic leaf extract showed
antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. It is more
effective to Gram positive bacteria, B. subtilis (as it created larger zone of inhibition)
than to Gram negative bacteria (E.coli). For further study of this plant, the active
ingredient(s) in the plant should be investigated.

References

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