Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
NYMPHAEA LOTUS
LINNAEUS
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Nymphaeles
Family: Nymphaeceae
Common name: Tiger lotus, white lotus
Distribution: East Africa, Southeast Asia
Habitat: Clear, warm, still waters
Description: This is a perennial plant growing to a maximum height of 50 cm.
While its pads loat on water, the blossoms rise above water. The lowers are
either white or tinged with pink.
Compounds and activities: The bioactive compounds isolated from the leaf
extract of this species include tannins, terpenes, lavonoids, alkaloids, anthro-
quinones, saponins, cardiac glucosides, and phenolics. These antibacterial
compounds act against the growth of methicillin and vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA and VRSA). The extracts of this species
have also been widely used for treating fever and urethral discharge in
traditional medicines. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and
minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) ranges are from 5 to 15 and 10 to
30 for MRSA and VRSA, respectively (Akinjogunla et al.,
2010).
