Influence of Host Diversity on Antibacterial Potency of Mistletoes Phragmenthera capitata (Spreng.) Balle (Loranthaceae) Ethanolic Shoot Extract on Microbes of Public Health Significance

Abstract

The rising cost of conventional antibiotics and the evolution of resistant microbial strains promote the search for effective and cheap novel plant-based antibiotic substitutes. Based on the foregoing, a study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic leaf extracts of giant African Mistletoe (Phragmenthera capitata) growing on five different host trees against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Fresh leaves of Mistletoe were collected from specific host trees in peri-urban locations within Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The leaves were air-dried, pulverized, Macerated and Extracted using standard scientific protocol. Results indicated significant differences in antibacterial activity among mistletoe extracts from different host trees. The extract from C. sinensis exhibited the highest inhibition zones (4.33 mm for S. aureus and 11.33 mm for E. coli), while mistletoe from C. nitida had the least inhibition (2.67 mm and 3.33 mm, respectively). Phytochemical analysis revealed variations in secondary metabolite composition across host sources, with alkaloids present only in mistletoe from C. sinensis. These findings confirm that host diversity influences the antibacterial potency of P. capitata, supporting its ethnomedicinal use as a potential source of bioactive compounds for antimicrobial applications. However, this study recommends that future research efforts should be geared towards isolating the key bioactive compounds driving variations in antibacterial activity, exploring their mechanisms of action, and evaluating their potential for pharmaceutical applications.