Natural essence of Malay poison from Melaleuca cajuputi as potential natural herbicide and microbes inhibitor

• Main Authors: Ramya, Razanah, Othman, Rashidi, Mohd Hatta, Farah Ayuni, Wan Sulaiman, Wan Syibrah Hanisah, Mohd Latiff, Nur Hanie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Roman Science Publications and Distributions 2023
• Subjects: BPC Science and Technology in Islam; GE Environmental Sciences; PL5101 Malay; QH Natural history; RS Pharmacy and materia medica; SB Plant culture; TP248.13 Biotechnology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/107011/1/107011_Natural%20Essence%20of%20Malay%20Poison%20from%20Melaleuca%20cajuputi.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107011/; https://romanpub.com/ijaet5-3-3.php
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Poisoning is an art that Malays are well skilled at and recognized for. Numerous poisons are utilized differently; also, most characteristics relating to intoxication, poisoning, or therapeutic use are directly dependent on the origin of the substance such as animals or plants. Melaleuca cajuputi (gelam) belongs to the Myrtaceae family, and the Malay population has traditionally used it for several functions and reasons. Nevertheless, its natural essence has not been deeply researched; hence, this work aimed to assess the chemical characteristics of M. cajuputi and evaluate their impact on microbial processes and weed development. The observations indicated that three primary phenolic acids (Vanillic acid, Ferulic acid, and Caffeic acid), including one volatile substance, were identified, indicating a total phenolic content of 493.92±6.88 μg GAE/g DW. Extracts from M. cajuputi leaves inhibited aquatic weed activity against Rotala rotundifolia and Glossostigma elatinoides; treatment levels were between 10 and 50 g/L. Similarly, there were inhibitory observations against microbes like Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermis. Hence, these observations are vital since it is the foundational study concerning the use of poisonous Malay plant species as antimicrobials and natural herbicides in Malaysia