Phytochemical evaluation and biological activity of salix purpurea l. essential oil: Green synthesis of nanocomposites for antioxidant, antibacterial and applications

Salix purpurea L., a species rich in bioactive compounds, was collected from Soran, Kurdistan, shade-dried, and processed for extraction. Its essential oil was isolated using a Clevenger apparatus, and a green route was employed to synthesize a novel Xanthan-Se/Fe?O? nanocomposite (NCs). The NCs were examined by FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, EDX, and XRD. FTIR and UV confirmed functional groups supporting nanoparticle formation, while XRD showed an average crystallite size of 336.14 Å. SEM imaging revealed particles around 75 nm with some agglomeration, and EDX confirmed the expected elemental composition with minor traces of Cl and Ag impurities.

Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract identified carbohydrates, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, diterpenes, steroids, triterpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and coumarins. Quantification showed notable levels of total phenolics (6.12 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (12.37 mg QE/g). Quercetin content in the extract was measured at 0.539 μg/g, further supporting flavonoid presence.

Biological assessments highlighted significant activities. The antibacterial evaluation showed that both the extract and NCs were effective, with the nanocomposite producing stronger inhibition zones, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella at 0.1 mg/mL. Antioxidant testing using the potassium persulfate (K?S?O?) method demonstrated concentration-dependent radical scavenging, with the extract showing the highest inhibition, followed by NCs and BHT.

These results suggest that S. purpurea and its green-synthesized nanocomposites could serve as promising natural sources of antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, with potential applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Zagros Abdulrahman Omar is a researcher in phytochemistry specializing in the medicinal properties of plants and their health benefits. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and an M.Sc. in Phytochemistry under Professor Dr. Syed Mohammad Sajadi. Currently at the Faculty of Science, Soran University, his research explores bioactive plant compounds with antimicrobial, nephroprotective, and ocular activities. He has conducted studies on plant-based treatments for kidney stones and antibacterial phytochemicals against major pathogens. His work, published in international journals, promotes integrating traditional herbal knowledge with modern science, contributing to sustainable, plant-based therapeutic approaches for public health improvement..)