Phytochemical Profiling and Therapeutic Potency of Jatropha curcas Linnaeus Seed Oil against Salmonella typhii Isolates in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, physicochemical properties, and antibacterial activity of Jatropha curcas seed oil against Salmonella typhii isolates obtained from clinical samples in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Seed oil extraction was performed using Soxhlet and cold maceration methods, followed by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins was confirmed, with total phenolic and flavonoid contents measured at 24.60 mg GAE/100 g and 16.30 mg QE/100 g, respectively. Physicochemical assessment indicated favorable parameters (acid value 2.30 mg KOH/g, peroxide value 4.50 meq O₂/kg, and iodine value 102.00 g I₂/100 g), signifying oil stability and purity. Antibacterial assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of S. typhii, with the highest activity recorded in methanolic extract (21.60 mm at 100 mg/mL). Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (12.50 mg/mL and 25.00 mg/mL, respectively) confirmed a bactericidal effect.  Findings suggest J. curcas seed oil as a potential natural therapeutic agent for typhoid management, particularly amid growing antibiotic resistance in Nigeria.