Comparative Bioactive Assessment of Selected Amaranthaceae Plants with Antibacterial Importance

Abstract

The study investigates the phytochemical profiles, UV–Visible spectrophotometric characteristics, and antibacterial activity of three Amaranthaceae plants—Achyranthes aspera, Chenopodium album, and Amaranthus viridis. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed notable variation in secondary metabolite composition, with A. aspera showing strong alkaloid and flavonoid presence, C. album displaying dominance of phenolic compounds, and A. viridis exhibiting elevated tannin and saponin levels. UV–Vis spectral analysis supported these findings, identifying flavonoid- and alkaloid-associated peaks (260–290 nm) in A. aspera, phenolic and carotenoid absorption bands (280–320 nm; 450–500 nm) in C. album, and both flavonoid and betalain signatures (270–320 nm; ~540 nm) in A. viridis. Antibacterial assays using the agar well diffusion method demonstrated that A. viridis exhibited the highest inhibition, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (19 mm), followed by A. aspera, while C. album showed moderate activity. The results collectively highlight A. viridis and A. aspera as promising candidates for natural antibacterial agents due to their high abundance of bioactive phytochemicals, supporting their longstanding traditional medicinal uses.