Analysis of Secondary Metabolites and Antimicrobial Activity of Corn Hair (Stigma Mays) Tea

Abstract

Corn Hair (Stigma mays) is considered as a waste product in the agricultural industry. But there are reports of its medicinal properties. This study investigate the chemical components present in Stigma mays ,its antimicrobial characteristics and therapeutic potential as herbal tea. The extracts were subjected to standard procedure to test the presence of metabolites. The result of the study positively showed abundant (+++) of alkaloids, flavonoids and triterpenes. The formation of muddy brown color, and dried corn silk hair. Saponins, tannins, glycosideshoweverturned out to be moderate (++). Stigma mays hair extract possessa very strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Saccharomycescerevisae and Pseudemonasaeruginosa with complete inhibitory activity.  However, the aqueous extract showed negative inhibition activity against Aspergillusniger. The findings indicates that Stigma may scontain various metabolites. This manifest potential application in health care and can be utilize as herbal tea.