Exploration of Kalanchoe Daigremontiana Phytochemicals for Antimicrobial Properties

Kalanchoe daigremontiana is a tropical plant traditionally used to treat infections, decrease inflammation, and promote wound healing. Prior work on a related species, Kalanchoe pinnata, has demonstrated significant inhibition of fungal and bacterial pathogens. This project aims to test effectiveness of organic extracts of K. daigremontiana against a range of human pathogens. We have cultivated K. daigremontiania under controlled conditions (soil, pH, water, light). At the three- and six-month time points in their growth, the aerial parts of the plants were dried, macerated, and exhaustively extracted using organic solvents of increasing polarity. Each solvent extract was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the resulting biomass was weighed. Samples at the nine- and 12-month points will also be acquired. Extracts will be tested against several human pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans) using a disk diffusion assay. Factors for future consideration are modifying the sample acquisition time and the use of abiotic stress factors to upregulate secondary metabolite production

Exploration of Kalanchoe Daigremontiana Phytochemicals for Antimicrobial Properties

Kalanchoe daigremontiana is a tropical plant traditionally used to treat infections, decrease inflammation, and promote wound healing. Prior work on a related species, Kalanchoe pinnata, has demonstrated significant inhibition of fungal and bacterial pathogens. This project aims to test effectiveness of organic extracts of K. daigremontiana against a range of human pathogens. We have cultivated K. daigremontiania under controlled conditions (soil, pH, water, light). At the three- and six-month time points in their growth, the aerial parts of the plants were dried, macerated, and exhaustively extracted using organic solvents of increasing polarity. Each solvent extract was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the resulting biomass was weighed. Samples at the nine- and 12-month points will also be acquired. Extracts will be tested against several human pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans) using a disk diffusion assay. Factors for future consideration are modifying the sample acquisition time and the use of abiotic stress factors to upregulate secondary metabolite production