Evaluation of antibacterial property and phytochemical composition of the crude ethanolic extract from Kalingag (Cinnamomum mercadoi) barks

Cinnamomum mercadoi, locally known as Kalingag, is a native plant of the Philippines that has limited studies despite its long use in traditional Philippine medicine due to its indigenous origin. This study examined the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activities of a crude ethanolic extract derived from Kalingag barks. The plant bark gathered from Davao Oriental was thoroughly rinsed with distilled water to eliminate any attached dirt, oven-dried for 6 hours, and then pulverized using a Wiley mill. The bark was then subjected to Soxhlet extraction, and the pooled extracts were concentrated for 5 hours at 40°C to produce a green, syrupy substance. The extract was tested qualitatively, followed by FTIR analysis to confirm the results, before being subjected to the agar well diffusion method to evaluate its antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The phytochemical evaluation and subsequent FTIR analysis revealed that the extract contained various phytochemicals, including glycosides, tannins, phytosterols, and terpenoids. The antibacterial testing revealed concentration-dependent inhibition that could be improved by purifying or isolating specific compounds from the extract. Additional research into other plant parts is suggested to enhance its biomedical and therapeutic applications.