Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, and Anti-Microbial Activities of Suaeda vermiculata n-Hexane Extract in Comparison to the Plant's Hydrodistilled Volatile Oil

Background: Suaeda vermiculata, a halophyte found in central Saudi Arabia, used as a remedy for jaundice, liver diseases, and viral infection. Study aim: Chemical identification and biological evaluation for the n-hexane extract of S. vermiculata. Methods: An assay of the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials and contents of the volatile oil and n-hexane extract of the plant’s aerial parts were analyzed through GC-MS analysis. Results: A total of 24 constituents representing 73.74 % of the n-hexane extract were identified wherein bornyl acetate, γ-elemene, and phytol were major ratio. The n-hexane extract inhibited DPPH-radicals inhibitions at 27% efficiency at 10 mg/ml concentration which was lower than the volatile oil DPPH-reactivity. The antimicrobial activity of n-hexane extract was relatively weaker than the volatile oil, except against Candida albicans that showed IZD values of 19 mm with MIC value at 5.2 mg/ml for the volatile oil while IZD value of 26 mm and MIC at 4.7 mg/ml was observed for the n-hexane extract. Conclusion: Despite high extractive value, the n-hexane as a solvent is not recommended for extraction as the oxygenated-terpenic components, considered responsible for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were not fully extracted. The n-hexane extract which showed potent inhibition of C. albicans can be a source for further investigation for bioactivities of its constituents.