Cg-MS Characterization of Phenolic Compounds in the Aqueous Extract of the Bark of Khaya Grandifoliola C. Dc (Meliaceae) for the Control of Resistant Staphylococcal Infections

Khaya grandifoliola C. DC. (Meliaceae) is a medicinal plant widely u sed in traditional African medicine to treat various infectious diseases. Given the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria particularly antibiotic-resistant staphylococci identifying new plant derived antimicrobial substances represents a promising avenue of research. This study aimed to characterize the phenolic compounds present in the aqueous extract of K. grandifoliola stem bark (Kgaq) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and to evaluate its antibacterial potential against resistant staphylococci. The aqueous stem bark extract (Kgaq) was obtained via maceration, yielding 8.31%. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of four major classes of secondary metabolites: phenolic compounds (including flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins), as well as sterols, polyterpenes, and saponins. GC-MS analysis enabled the putative identification of several phenolic compounds, notably 1-(2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylphenyl)ethanone, bisphenol A monomethyl ether, N,3-dihydroxybenzamide, protocatechuic and gallic acids, and 5-(methylthio)salicylic acid. Furthermore, the Kgaq extract demonstrated significant bactericidal activity. This activity may be attributed to the diversity of its chemical composition and the combined or synergistic effects of its various secondary metabolites. These results highlight the potential of K. grandifoliola as a source of natural substances that could contribute to the search for new alternatives to combat resistant staphylococcal infections.