Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Evaluation of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Extract

The growing concern over antibiotic resistance has led to an increased interest in natural antibacterial agents. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a widely known medicinal plant, has demonstrated promising antibacterial properties due to its rich phytochemical profile. This study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of hibiscus flower extracts against Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus, two clinically significant pathogens. The extract was prepared using methanol and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and agar well diffusion methods. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined to establish the lowest effective concentration. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, volatile oils, and saponins, which contribute to antimicrobial action. Results indicate that hibiscus extract effectively inhibits bacterial growth, highlighting its potential as a natural antibacterial agent. Additionally, antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay in 96-well plates, confirming its strong radical-scavenging ability. The study suggests that hibiscus extract could be explored for its synergistic effects when combined with conventional antibiotics.