Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF CAVITE
CAVITE SCIENCE INTEGRATED SCHOOL
(REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL)
GARITA B, MARAGONDON, CAVITE

Evaluation of antibacterial content of Morus nigra (Black mulberry) leaves and twig

extract against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi)

Vergel B. Arellano, Rovine Avhiegail A. Bendaña, Yunhee M. dela Cruz (9 - Calcium)

In Filipino agriculture, mulberries, commonly known as moras, amoras, or amingit, are a growing star. The

Philippines enjoys practically year-round sunshine, which makes the growth of mulberries an income crop and

an even more exciting potential for local farmers. Mulberry also contains chemical components that are part of

its antibacterial qualities against common bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi)

that are one of the risk complications in the country.

Mulberries are known botanically as Morus, a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae. (Murray,

2022) The three most common commercial mulberry species include white mulberry (Morus alba), black

mulberry (Morus nigra), and red mulberry (Morus rubra) all having multiple cultivars. (Marzolo, 2016)

After conducting a three-year trial, a Japanese company found that the mulberry plant can be successfully

cultivated in the country, making its leaves in particular a promising source of income for local farmers. The

mulberry leaf is used to make tea, the main reason behind the three-year trial. (Healthy Options, 2021)
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF CAVITE
CAVITE SCIENCE INTEGRATED SCHOOL
(REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL)
GARITA B, MARAGONDON, CAVITE

Mulberry twigs also contain antioxidant compounds that help combat inflammation and reduce cellular

damage that leads to long-term illnesses, including cancer and liver disease. Due to these reasons, mulberry

twigs are widely used as a promising source of well-being and healthy teas, together with mulberry fruits and

leaves. (Choi et al., 2013)

Mulberry fruit is also consumed in several ways such as fruit wines, jams, jelly, or muesli. (Budahre, 2022)

Besides being a good ingredient to use when making jam, wine, and other related products because of their

sweet, tart taste, Morus nigra (Black mulberry), specifically, also offers several antibacterial properties when

used. (Taculao, 2021)

Morus nigra (Black mulberry) contains phytochemical constituents in different parts of its such as the leaves

and twigs. (Momete et al., 2021) Morus nigra (Black mulberry) is identified as an appreciable source of

flavonoids, which have beneficial effects on human and animal health. (Wang, 2022) Rutin and quercetin are

the main effective components of Morus nigra (Black mulberry) under flavonoids. (Sun et al., 2001)

Flavonoids are well known as antibacterial agents against a wide range of pathogenic microorganism. With

increasing prevalence of untreatable infections induced by antibiotic resistance bacteria, flavonoids have

attracted much interest because of the potential to be substitutes for antibiotics. (Xie et al., n.d.)
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF CAVITE
CAVITE SCIENCE INTEGRATED SCHOOL
(REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL)
GARITA B, MARAGONDON, CAVITE

Flavonoids showed significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity, and other biological effects.

(Xiao et al., 2016) Abundant amounts of flavonoids are found moderate on the leaves of Morus nigra (Black

mulberry). (Guinto, Bautista, 2020) On the other hand, flavonoids content in the twigs of Morus nigra (Black

mulberry) was found at 88 mg/g. (Raman et al., 2015)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. (Mayo

Clinic, 2022) Most types of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are harmless and even help keep your digestive tract

healthy. But some strains can cause diarrhea if you eat contaminated food or drink fouled water. (DerSarkissian,

2022)

Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) is a bacteria that lives in humans and is commonly found in contaminated water

and food. It causes a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract and occasionally of the bloodstream, which is

called typhoid fever. (Oakland County Michigan, 2022)

A number of street-vended food products in the country are reported to be contaminated with Escherichia

coli (E. coli) posing possible risk among consumers. (Mesias, 2018) Furthermore, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a

fecal indicator of bacteria, hence it is likely to be present when feces or raw sewage has entered the water

supply.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF CAVITE
CAVITE SCIENCE INTEGRATED SCHOOL
(REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL)
GARITA B, MARAGONDON, CAVITE

Two in three families in the Philippine’s drinking water are at risk from contamination of Escherichia coli

(E. coli). (Philippine Statistic Authority, 2017) Dr. June P. Lim, Santo Tomas health officer, said that the result

of a water examination conducted by the Water Bacteriology Laboratory of the Provincial Health Office showed

the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the water system and in the water stocks of two of the eight water

refilling stations in Davao City. The local government listed a total of 471 residents who suffered from diarrhea

from drinking tap water. (Colina IV, 2021)

Food poisoning outbreaks and livestock infection caused by Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) are widespread in the

Philippines as evidenced by cases of food poisoning reported in Benguet, Tondo, Manila, and Bulacan and cases

of hog morbidity and mortality in Tacloban and Leyte. (Ng, Bautista, 2014)

Typhoid fever, caused by bacterium Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), is a life-threatening bacterial infection. It is

most common in non-industrialized countries. Philippines health officials have reported 9, 057 typhoid fever

cases in 2022, a 121% increase over the 4, 102 cases reported during the same period in 2021. Its cases within

the country were high among 6-17 years old and were mostly from males. (Sia et al., 2020) The typhoid death

toll has also increased in 2022 to date with 43, more than three times the total during the same period last year.

(News Desk, 2022)

The commonality of Morus nigra (Black mulberry) as well as the spread of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and

Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) in the Philippines has inspired the researchers to perform this study. With the help of
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF CAVITE
CAVITE SCIENCE INTEGRATED SCHOOL
(REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL)
GARITA B, MARAGONDON, CAVITE

the leaves and twigs of Morus nigra (Black mulberry) in the formulation of the extract, the researchers are

aiming to decode the problem of the two existing bacteria in the country for a safer environment for everyone.

By determining whether Morus nigra (Black mulberry) can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and

Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), it may be a broadly effective and an economical material with potential usefulness

and benefits especially in resource-poor countries.