Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development
Articles

Proximate Analysis, Phytochemical Screening, and Antibacterial Activity of Wild Sampalok-Sampalukan (Moeroris amara) in Selected Barangays of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

  • Nazarene Pae Aquino,
  • Danny Alfonso,
  • Krystel Grace Padilla,
  • Rachelle Conmigo
Nazarene Pae Aquino
NEUST
Danny Alfonso
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Krystel Grace Padilla
NEUST
Rachelle Conmigo
NEUST
DOI: https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v4i2.253

Published 12/30/2025

Keywords

  • antibacteria,
  • Phytochemical,
  • proximate analysis,
  • Moeroris amara

How to Cite

Aquino, N. P., Alfonso, D., Padilla, K. G., & Conmigo, R. (2025). Proximate Analysis, Phytochemical Screening, and Antibacterial Activity of Wild Sampalok-Sampalukan (Moeroris amara) in Selected Barangays of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v4i2.253

Copyright (c) 2025 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

The global challenge of microbial resistance to antimicrobial drugs has prompted the search for new agents from natural sources like medicinal plants. This study focuses on Moeroris amara, a traditional Indian medicinal plant, to assess its antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), common causes of skin and urinary tract infections, respectively. Samples were collected from Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, and ethanol (95%) was used to extract the plant components. Proximate analysis determined the nutritional composition, while phytochemical screening assessed Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC). Disk diffusion method was used to assess the antibacterial activity. The analysis revealed Moeroris amara leaves contain  7.6% ash, 5.4% crude fat, 15.0% crude fiber, 13.6% moisture and 19.30% crude protein, suggesting potential health benefits. High levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were found, with TPC at 260.65 mg GAE/g and TFC at 193.65 mg RHE/g. The ethanolic leaf extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against both bacterial strains. In conclusion, M. amara shows promise as a natural source for antimicrobial agents due to its significant nutritional and antibacterial properties. Its high phenolic and flavonoid content contribute to antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Further research is recommended to explore its potential as functional foods and natural antimicrobial agents.

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