BIOACTIVE PROFILING AND ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF Tridax procumbens: A GC-MS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL APPROACH

Tridax procumbens L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally valued for its wound-healing, antiinflammatory, and medicinal properties related to gastrointestinal, hepatic, and respiratory diseases. This study analyzed its phytochemical and chemical composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), as well as its antimicrobial efficiency. Leaves were air-dried, ground, and extracted using acetone with ultrasonication. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and cardiac glycosides; however, tannins and steroids were completely absent. GC–MS analysis indicated the presence of a number of key bioactive components, including phytol, stigmasterol, α-linolenic acid, γ-tocopherol, squalene, pectolinaringenin, campesterol, as well as a range of heterocyclic derivatives known to possess anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory activity. Antimicrobial testing using the agar well diffusion method indicated moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus paralicheniformis, which elicited a consistent 12 mm inhibition zone at 50–100 µL compared to 16 mm for the gentamicin control. No antifungal activity was observed against Candida utilis. These results further indicate the medicinal importance of T. procumbens and its potential for valued plant-based sources of antibacterial drugs, for which further pharmacological validations are called for.