ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CHLOROPHYLL EXTRACT ISOLATED FROM COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA) LEAVES AGAINST SELECTED BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL PATHOGENS

Israa Mohamed Fadla Alla Elhaj; Nuha Aboud  Ahmed; Hiba Hassan Ibrahim; Rabaa Musa Hamad; Azhari A. Mohammed Nour; Mohamed Awad Elkarim Mohamad Ibrahim

doi:10.29121/SARPS.v2.i1.2026.29

Authors

Israa Mohamed Fadla Alla Elhaj Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan Author
Nuha Aboud Ahmed Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan Author
Hiba Hassan Ibrahim Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan Author
Rabaa Musa Hamad Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan Author
Dr. Azhari A. Mohammed Nour Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan Author
Mohamed Awad Elkarim Mohamad Ibrahim Department of Public Health, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/SARPS.v2.i1.2026.29

Keywords:

Antimicrobial Activity, Chlorophyll, Vigna Unguiculata, Cowpea Leaves, Medicinal Plants, Natural Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

Background: The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for novel bioactive compounds from natural sources. Chlorophyll, a naturally occurring pigment abundant in green plants, has attracted increasing attention due to its antioxidant and potential antimicrobial properties. However, limited information is available regarding the antimicrobial activity of chlorophyll extracted from cowpea leaves (Vigna unguiculata). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chlorophyll extracted from cowpea leaves against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. Methods: Fresh cowpea leaves (Vigna unguiculata) were used for chlorophyll extraction using an acetone–methanol solvent system. The antimicrobial activity of the chlorophyll extract was assessed by the disc diffusion method following National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines. The extract was tested at a concentration of 100 mg/mL against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated by measuring inhibition zone diameters around the treated discs. Results: The chlorophyll extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. Strong inhibitory effects were observed against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, with inhibition zones indicating active to highly active antimicrobial performance. In contrast, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited only limited susceptibility, producing a smaller inhibition zone (10 mm), indicative of partial activity. The findings suggest that chlorophyll extracted from cowpea leaves possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria and fungal pathogens. Conclusion: Chlorophyll extracted from Vigna unguiculata leaves exhibited promising antimicrobial activity against a range of clinically relevant microorganisms, with the exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which showed reduced sensitivity. These findings support the potential use of plant-derived chlorophyll as a natural antimicrobial agent and warrant further investigations to elucidate its mechanisms of action, optimize extraction procedures, and evaluate its therapeutic applications.