Volume 44 (2026) – Supplementary Issue 1 – Article 8 – Epitheorese Klinikes Farmakologias kai Farmakokinetikes

Abstract
Background: Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) is recognized for its rich phytochemical composition and potential therapeutic properties. However, information regarding the phytochemical profile and antibacterial activity of baobab fruits growing in Oman remains limited. Aim: This study investigated the phytochemical profile and antibacterial activity of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp and seed extracts collected from Oman. Methodology: Phenolic compounds were characterized using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), while lipid-derived constituents were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antibacterial activity of methanolic pulp extract and seed oil was evaluated against selected reference Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains using the agar well diffusion method. Experiments were performed in triplicate, and differences among treatments were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s post hoc test with Holm adjustment for multiple comparisons. Results: UPLC analysis identified several phenolic compounds, including caffeic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin. GC–MS analysis identified 35 bioactive compounds in the pulp extract, with γ-sitosterol as the predominant constituent. The methanolic pulp extract exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains, producing inhibition zones ranging from 17.67 ± 0.58 mm to 29.00 ± 1.00 mm, whereas the seed oil exhibited lower activity (6.00 ± 0.00–14.67 ± 0.58 mm). Significant differences in inhibition zone diameters were observed among treatments for all tested strains (p = 0.021–0.025). Under the agar diffusion conditions used, the pulp extract produced larger inhibition zones than cefotaxime against selected strains; however, direct comparison is limited by differences in concentration and diffusion characteristics. Conclusion: Adansonia digitata fruit contains diverse bioactive compounds and exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These findings provide preliminary evidence of its antibacterial potential and warrant further investigation of its active constituents, mechanisms, and safety.

Keywords: Adansonia digitata, baobab, phytochemical profiling, antibacterial activity, bioactive compounds

Please cite as:
Al Okla S. M., Al-Sabahi J. N., Al-Nazwani N. S., Al Battashy A. S., Al Mujaini A. A., Al-Mutori H. S., Kassab Y. W.: Phytochemical profiling and antibacterial activity of Adansonia digitata L. fruit from Oman. Epitheorese Klin. Farmakol. Farmakokinet. xx(xx): xx-xx (2026). DOI: 10.61873/XXXXXXX