Liquid nitrogen mediated cryogenic extract optimization, phytochemical analysis, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant potential of Cascabela thevetia Leaf
- 1Department of Chemistry, Government College (GC) University Lahore
- 2Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang SciTech University
Abstract
Cascabela thevetia is a medicinal plant with diverse phytochemical constituents and biological potential. The increasing adverse effects of synthetic drugs and antimicrobial resistance has intensified the researchers for plant based therapeutic alternatives. However, there is little information available about liquid nitrogen mediated extraction of C. thevetia and the influence of liquid nitrogen on extraction efficiency and biological potential. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and optimize the extraction of bioactive chemicals from the leaves of C. thevetia using ethanol-water solvent system and cryogenic processing. Maximum yield (31.08 ± 0.03%) was shown by aqueous extract (0% ethanol). Qualitative screening of extracts confirmed the presence of various bioactive compounds including carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids etc. GC-MS analysis of the derivatized aqueous extract led to the identification of seven volatile and semi-volatile phytochemical constituents. The phytochemical screening of extract identified the constituents known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. DPPH (IC50 = 9.16 µg/mL) and ABTS (TEAC = 8.96 mM, versus 7.6 mM for pure ethanol extract) results indicated that the aqueous extract exhibited the maximum antioxidant activity. It also exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (16.30 ± 0.20 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.32 ± 0.19 mm) by using well diffusion method. Significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (13.1 ± 0.19 mm zone of inhibition) also ascertained by aqueous extract. Moreover, the effectiveness of the extract changed as ethanol concentration increased, suggesting that aqueous medium, combined with liquid nitrogen-assisted extraction, provides the most effective extraction condition to yield the highest bioactive potential. Thus, these findings signify C. thevetia to be a potent source of natural therapeutic agents.
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BibTeX
@article{shehzad2026liquid,
title = {{Liquid nitrogen mediated cryogenic extract optimization, phytochemical analysis, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant potential of Cascabela thevetia Leaf}},
author = {Behram Shehzad and Rizwan Ahmad and Faisal Aslam and Tooba Rehman and Umer Shafique and Umair Baig and Abdul Wahab and Ayoub Rashid Ch},
journal = {Discover Chemistry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s44371-026-01042-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-026-01042-4},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Liquid nitrogen mediated cryogenic extract optimization, phytochemical analysis, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant potential of Cascabela thevetia Leaf
AU - Behram Shehzad
AU - Rizwan Ahmad
AU - Faisal Aslam
AU - Tooba Rehman
AU - Umer Shafique
AU - Umair Baig
AU - Abdul Wahab
AU - Ayoub Rashid Ch
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Discover Chemistry
DO - 10.1007/s44371-026-01042-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-026-01042-4
AB - Cascabela thevetia is a medicinal plant with diverse phytochemical constituents and biological potential. The increasing adverse effects of synthetic drugs and antimicrobial resistance has intensified the researchers for plant based therapeutic alternatives. However, there is little information available about liquid nitrogen mediated extraction of C. thevetia and the influence of liquid nitrogen on extraction efficiency and biological potential. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and optimize the extraction of bioactive chemicals from the leaves of C. thevetia using ethanol-water solvent system and cryogenic processing. Maximum yield (31.08 ± 0.03%) was shown by aqueous extract (0% ethanol). Qualitative screening of extracts confirmed the presence of various bioactive compounds including carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids etc. GC-MS analysis of the derivatized aqueous extract led to the identification of seven volatile and semi-volatile phytochemical constituents. The phytochemical screening of extract identified the constituents known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. DPPH (IC50 = 9.16 µg/mL) and ABTS (TEAC = 8.96 mM, versus 7.6 mM for pure ethanol extract) results indicated that the aqueous extract exhibited the maximum antioxidant activity. It also exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (16.30 ± 0.20 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.32 ± 0.19 mm) by using well diffusion method. Significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (13.1 ± 0.19 mm zone of inhibition) also ascertained by aqueous extract. Moreover, the effectiveness of the extract changed as ethanol concentration increased, suggesting that aqueous medium, combined with liquid nitrogen-assisted extraction, provides the most effective extraction condition to yield the highest bioactive potential. Thus, these findings signify C. thevetia to be a potent source of natural therapeutic agents.
SN - 3005-1193
ER -