Characterisation and antimicrobial activity of Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides alkaloid extracts

Th e aerial parts and seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides growing in Turkey were investigated for their alkaloid compositions and antimicrobial activities. Th e alkaloid extracts were analysed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Th e main components were identifi ed as sophoridine (33.07%), matrine (24.03%), and sophocarpine (8.01%) in the aerial parts, and matrine (36.67%) and sophoridine (34.53%) in the seeds of the plant. Th e alkaloid extracts were also evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities using microdilution techniques. Th e alkaloid extract of the aerial parts of S. alopecuroides var. alopecuroides presented signifi cant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis while the alkaloid extract of the seeds displayed good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 62.5 μg/mL. In the antifungal assay, the alkaloid extract of the seeds of the plant showed signifi cant activity against Candida krusei (MIC = 62.5 μg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, the current work is the fi rst to report the alkaloid profi le and antimicrobial activity of S. alopecuroides var. alopecuroides growing in Turkey.