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Eryngium foetidum is an herb which is used as a medicinal and a spice plant in tropical regions. This plant is used in traditional medicine in treating conditions such as fever, chills, vomiting diarrhea, stomach aches, worms, pneumonia, flu, diabetes, constipation and malaria due to the presence of phytochemicals that is responsible for these activities. Further, it is also used as a food ingredient which is with health benefits in some countries. However, these claims have not been well proven by scientific studies. As such, this study focused on the investigation of antibacterial properties, total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of different leaf extracts of Eryngium foetidum. Three different solvent extractions of leaves namely methanol, chloroform and water were studied. The methanol and chloroform extracts showed high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocyatogenes and Staphylococcus aureus). Water extracts showed highest activity against gram negative microorganism (Salmonella). Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were high in the methanol extract, water extract and chloroform extract respectively. The results of the study have revealed the presence of phytochemical responsible for the above activities and possible use of Eryngium foetidum as a food source with health benefits.

Abstract:The study was designed to assess the total phenolic content (TPC), free radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial property and in vitro starch digestion rate of three traditional rice varieties grown organically and non-organically in Sri Lanka. The 70% ethanol extractions of rice were subjected to TPC, DPPH -free radical scavenging assays to determine antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial susceptible test against three bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus to determine antimicrobial properties. Starch digestion of cooked rice samples were evaluated under in vitro conditions. Both TPC and free radical scavenging activity was significantly higher (P<0.05) in organically produced traditional rice while the non-organically produced traditional rice samples showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) antimicrobial activity against S. typhi and S. aureus. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the in vitro starch digestion rate between the two groups. Though the study only considered traditional rice varieties, the results suggested that organically produced traditional rice samples performed better than those non-organically produced, with regard to the antioxidant properties such as TPC and free radical scavenging activity. The Madathawalu cultivar performed superior role in total phenolic content, free radical scavenging activity and Glycemic Index compared to that of two other traditional rice varieties, namely, Suwandel and Handiran.