ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF LEAVES OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA PLANT IN IRAQ BY GC-MS

Calotropis procera plant belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family. It is prescribed to treat bronchitis, asthma, cough, infections, cancer, ascites, intestinal worms, cutaneous diseases, eczema, leprosy and also aid to stimulate the immune system. The leaves of C. procera were investigated for their phytochemical and anti-microbial activity. Chemical screening of leaves ethanolic extract exhibited to contain active compounds like alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, and reducing sugar. The antibacterial activity of C. procera leaves against four different bacteria revealed that the ethanolic extracts could kill only Staphylococcus aureus and Basillus subtilis, but more resisted by Pseudomonas sp., and Escherichia coli compare to the standard antibiotic streptomycin. GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extracts indicated that the highest percentage in 100% ethanolic leaves extract belongs to camphene 6.22%, thebaine 7.59% dodecanoic acid 19.15%, and linolenic acid ethyl ester 14.87%, while the highest percentage in 70% ethanolic leaves extract belongs to hexa-hydro-farnesol 9.87%, gamolenic acid 12.71%, and linolenic acid ethyl ester 6.83%. This is the first phytochemical, and antibacterial study on C. procera leaves in Iraq.