THERMAL MODULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF ACACIA MODESTA EXTRACT: PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

This study investigates the impact of extraction temperature on the antimicrobial efficacy of Acacia modesta ethanolic extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, a common human pathogen. Ethanolic extracts were prepared at four temperatures: 25°C, 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C, and their antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. The highest zone of inhibition (16.4 mm) was observed at 60°C, suggesting this as the optimal temperature for extracting bioactive compounds. Statistical analysis via one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in antibacterial activity across temperatures (p < 0.001), and Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test confirmed that the 60°C extract was significantly more effective than others. Ciprofloxacin was used as a positive control and DMSO as a negative control. The findings align with previous studies indicating that moderate heating enhances the solubility of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, thereby improving antimicrobial potential. The study concludes that optimizing extraction conditions, particularly temperature, can significantly enhance the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants like Acacia modesta. Further phytochemical and clinical investigations are recommended to validate its use in antimicrobial drug development.