Page 20 - Climate Conference - EBook 2023: Al-Qasemi Academy

Antimicrobial Activity and Genetic fingerprinting
of Carthamus tenuis Grown in Palestine
Dr. Sharaf Al-Tardeh

Applied Biology, Palestine Polytechnic University, Hebron

ABSTRACT
Climate change is the worst consequence of human activity. For example, the extensive

use of antibiotics, insecticides, and mineral fertilizers has harmful adverse effects on
natural resources, i.e., water and agricultural land. In this context, the translocation of

heavy metals into the human body ended in various diseases. This research project aims
to study the distribution of C. tenuis and illustrate the species' genetic fingerprinting and

antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. For molecular analysis, DNA was extracted using a
Norgie extraction kit, and then the PCR reaction was implemented using 10-mer RAPD

DNA-based markers. Extracts from different parts of the whole plant were obtained using
different solvents (dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone, and water) and studied for

antibacterial activity using the agar dilution method. Serial solutions of extracts were
prepared and analyzed for their activity against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella

pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. The antibiotic activity was correlated linearly with the
extract concentration. The highest antimicrobial activity was for the extract obtained by

dichloromethane against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The ethanol extract was active
against all tested species, and the acetone extract was the most effective against C.

albican. While the water extract possesses moderate activity. The genotyping analysis
shows that some primers could be used as identification markers for this species. The

species possesses promising antioxidant activity. In conclusion, C. tenuis extracts could
be postulated as a natural antibiotic agent and mitigate the consequences of synthetic

antibiotics on climate change.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Carthumus, Climate change, Genotyping,