Authors : Zekeria Yusuf, Giorgis Hailu, Mulugeta Desta and Sewnet Mengistu
Abstract: Verbascum thapsus L. is one of the most common medicinal plant. The purpose of this study was to examine physicochemical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of oil extracted from common mullein leaves, roots and fruits. The oil extraction was done in Soxhelt apparatus using hexane as a solvent. The result of physicochemical properties of V. thapsus fruit, leaf and root oils presented significantly the highest oil yield (17.75%) was recorded for the fruit oil extract. Acid value (acid number) (2.53) and free fatty acid (FFA) (1.27) value were significantly highest for root oil. Specific gravity (0.92) and peroxide values (2.20) were highest for leaf oil. Significantly the highest antioxidant activities with respect to DPPH (37.35±0.64) was recorded for root oil. The strongest antibacterial activity with maximum zone of inhibition (14.50 mm), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 0.19 μL/mL) and corresponding minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC, 0.25 μL/mL) was recorded for root oil extract against Staphylococcus aureus while the strongest antifungal activity with maximum zone of inhibition (16.50 mm), MIC (0.09 μL/mL) and MFC (0.18 μL/mL) were recorded for fruit oil against Aspergillus niger. Hence, suggesting possible exploitation of these plants for their antimicrobial active principles for the development of novel herbal-based antimicrobials.
Zekeria Yusuf, Giorgis Hailu, Mulugeta Desta and Sewnet Mengistu, 2021. Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) Root, Leaf and Fruit Oils. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 16: 47-52.