The Biobrio 13(1 & 2), 2026

Integrated studies on in vitro propagation, phytochemical profiling, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial potential of Morus alba L. leaves

Manshi Singha & Ashok Kumar Nag

ABSTRACT:

Morus alba L. (white mulberry) is an economically and medicinally important plant species belonging to the family Moraceae. The present investigation was undertaken to establish an efficient in vitro propagation protocol and to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial potential of methanolic leaf extracts of M. alba L. Leaf and stem explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with suitable concentrations of plant growth regulators. Callus induction was successfully obtained from both leaf and stem explants after four weeks of incubation. The calli initially appeared creamy white to light green and gradually increased in size. Shoot initiation was observed from stem explants through apical bud formation, whereas root formation was not recorded during the study period. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, anthocyanins, proteins, flavonoids, reducing sugars, phlobatannins, and glycosides. The total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, and total alkaloid content were determined to be 20.419 μg QE/mL, 4.111 μg GAE/mL, and 9.000 μg AE/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activity, evaluated by the DPPH assay, exhibited concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 value of 64.07 μg/μL. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The highest inhibitory effect was observed against P.aeruginosa, with a maximum zone of inhibition of 12.5 mm. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA revealed highly significant differences among treatment groups (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate that M. alba possesses considerable medicinal value and may serve as a promising source of natural bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.

Keywords:    

Morus alba, micropropagation, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, medicinal plants

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