Assumption Antipolo

Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City

The effect of sweet potato (Ipomeabatatas)leaves extract on Staphylococcus aureus

ANDAYA, Iara
BAO, Angela
CHANCO, Glenise
ONG, Chloe
SALVADOR, Nicole

Group 4
II-5

January 12,2014

Abstract
This project aimed to decrease the extent of the diseases caused by Staphylococcus
aureus through the extract of sweet potato leaves (Ipomea batatas).
The procedure that was conducted involved getting the extract of sweet potato leaves
(Ipomea batatas) through alcohol extraction. The extract was then sent to SGS Philippines Inc.
for the cultivation of Staphylococcus aureus and addition of the extract to the bacteria. The
bacteria was observed for a day in order to see if the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) leaves
extract is really effective against Staphylococcus aureus.
The results showed that the extract that the proponents provided was not strong enough to
kill the bacteria. The proponents therefore conclude that the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas)
leaves is not effective against Staphylococcus aureus.

Acknowledgement
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Mr. Andaya, who handed the extract to the
laboratory for the microbiological testing; SGS Philippines, Inc. who assisted us with our
experimentation pertaining to the cultivation and the observation of the bacteria; Ms Jewel
Encarnacion, our Year II Science teacher, and Ms Rhea Hebron, our Science coordinator, for
allowing us to conduct this study.

Table of Contents
I.
II.
III.

IV.
V.
VI.
VII.

Abstract......................................................................................................................2
Acknowledgement .....................................................................................................3
Introduction
a) Background of the Study....................................................................................5
b) Statement of the problem ...................................................................................5
c) Objectives ..........................................................................................................6
d) Significance of the Study....................................................................................6
e) Scope and Limitations.........................................................................................7
f) Review of Related Literature ..............................................................................7
Methodology ............................................................................................................9
a) Materials........................................................................................................9
b) Procedures ....................................................................................................9
Results and Discussion ............................................................................................9
Conclusion and Recommendations ........................................................................10
Bibliography ...........................................................................................................11

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Introduction
This project aims to decrease the extent of the diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
This project will help individuals who are experiencing Staphylococcus aureus-related diseases
and cannot find other ways to treat their sickness unless they buy antibiotics. The purpose of this
investigatory project is to use sweet potato leaves (Ipomea batatas) in order to lessen the spread
of Staphylococcus aureus-related diseases, like food poisoning, skin infections, and respiratory

diseases.

Background of the Study

The sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) plant can be found throughout the tropics and the
temperate regions of the world. The roots, leaves and shoots are said to be edible. In fact, they
contain more nutrients than some of the green-leafy vegetables. Sweet potato leaves are a byproduct of the plant and is good source of significant amounts of vitamins, minerals,
carbohydrates, and dietary fibre. [World's healthiest food; George Mateljan (February 2009)]
Local folk medicine also use sweet potato leaves for asthma, burns, diarrhea, fever, and other
ailments. [Edmond, Joseph Bailey; Ammerman, Gale Richard (1 November 1971)]

Statement of the Problem

This research aims to know if the antibacterial properties of sweet potato leaves are really
effective against Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of skin infections, respiratory disease,
and food poisoning.
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General Objectives
To find an alternative medicine that may help reduce the number of
Staphylococcus aureus
Specific Objectives

To test the ability of the antibacterial property of the sweet potato (Ipomea
batatas) leaves

Significance of the Study

Nowadays, bacterial infections are the one of the common problems among children and
adults. We conducted this investigatory project to test the ability of the antibacterial property of
the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) leaves, which is a common plant here in the Philippines. We
would like to reduce the number of people with diseases such as asthma and other respiratory
diseases, skin infections and food poisoning. In doing this experiment, we could save up to more
than 5 times the original price of the antibacterial products and antibiotics we can buy in the
grocery and drugstores. In addition, conducting this study may also help us find an alternative
medicine that may help reduce the number of Staphylococcus aureus, especially to those who
cannot afford antibiotics, by using the said plant to lessen and or treat their sickness without
spending too much money. It will also help us discover more medicinal purposes for sweet
potato that can be very useful in the future.

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Scope and Limitation
The study only covers on the antibacterial assay of Ipomea batatas leaves, and its
efficacy on Staphylococcus aureus. The study focuses on the reduction or increase of

Staphylococcus aureus by the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) leaves.

Review of Related Literature

The sweet potato is an edible, underground tuber. It is cultivated on sandy or loamy soils
and exists as an important food staple in a number of countries. Botanically, this starch-rich tuber
plant is a dicotyledon, belonging in the family of Convolvulaceae, and named botanically as
Ipomea batatas. The Ipomea batatas is also known to contain significant amounts of vitamins,
minerals, carbohydrates, dietary fibre. The sweet potato leaves (top greens) are also edible. In
fact, the leaves contain more nutrients and dietary fibre than some of the green-leafy vegetables.
Sweet potato leaves are a by-product of the plant and good source of nutrients. (EduSciece,
2012).
In 2007, a very exciting discovery pertaining to the acceptance of the sweet potato as more than
just a food source was found during a study done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Certain
properties of this plants leaves has been proven to be antimicrobial. During 2007, there were
huge numbers of outbreaks of E.coli, pathogenic bacteria that cause food poisoning, in the U.S.
and other parts of the world. These outbreaks sparked interest in this experimental study. The
study was done to determine the growth of what kind of bacteria can be inhibited by the sweet
potato leaves. The results of this experiment left the researchers with the conclusion that sweet
potato leaves definitely do contain antibacterial compounds that are resistant to E.coli. In
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addition, the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus, the species of bacteria responsible for Staph
infections, was also greatly reduced by isolated chemical properties found in sweet potato leaves.
Therefore, these leaves have a promising future preventing the growth of bacteria that cause food

poisoning and could possibly even help in the skin infections, such as Staph infections, with
further research. (Keesler, 2011).
Staphylococcus aureus is found in the skin and nostrils of many healthy individuals. These
bacteria can give rise to minor superficial diseases, such as the formation of boils in hair follicles
also known as pustules. Much more rarely, S. aureus can give rise to more serious infections;
these normally occur when the resistance of a tissue or host is reduced. The infection is
characterized by the presence of pus and formation of abscesses. This form of Staphylococcus is
responsible for skin pustules, boils and carbuncles, Impetigo, infections of the wound and burns,
scalded skin syndrome, septicaemia blood posisoning because of the bacteria; Staphylococcal
meningitis bacterial infection of the thin tissues covering the brain and spinal cord;
endocarditis an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart; food poisoning, respiratory
diseases such as sinusitis, asthma, and pneumonia an inflammatory condition of the lung which
affects primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. (Wikipedia, 2014).
Microbial diseases rank as number one cause for almost half of the deaths in underdeveloped and
tropical countries. The frequency of life-threatening infections caused by pathogenic
microorganisms has increased worldwide and is becoming an important cause of morbidity and
mortality in immune compromised patients in developed countries.
Medicinal plants represent a rich source of antimicrobial agents. In developing countries, the
World health Organization estimates that about three quarters of the population relies on plant
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based preparations used in their traditional medicinal system and as the basic needs for human
primary health care. Therefore, several medicinal plants have been evaluated for possible
antimicrobial activity and to get remedy for a variety of ailments of microbial origin. Many

traditional medicinal plants and herbs were reported to have various levels of antibacterial
activity. Considering these plants as resources for antimicrobial drugs with reference to
antibacterial and antifungal agents, a systematic investigation is undertaken to screen the
Ipomeabatatasfor its antibacterial and antifungal activity. (Scholar Research Library, 2012).
Methodology
Materials:
The proponents used 300ml of pure vodka, 40g of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) leaves,
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, two (2) air-tight glass jars for the extract, petri dishes for the
cultivation of bacteria, and a Pasteur pipette in order to proceed with the experimentation.
Procedures:
The lab used a container, preferably a petri dish, containing Staphylococcus aureus.
Extract of the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) leaves was added to the petri dish, and was
observed after a day.

Results and Discussion

Bacteria was not reduced/was not killed by the
After a day of observation

extract (No zone of inhibition)

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The concentration of sweet potato leaves extract was not powerful enough to be able to
kill or prevent the reproduction of Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusion
Based on the result, the proponents therefore conclude that the sweet potato leaves extract
was not effective in killing Staphylococcus aureus. It was either because the extract of the plant
was not strong enough, or it has targeted the wrong strain of bacteria.
Recommendation
The group recommend trying different methods of extraction when it comes to extracting the
sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) leaves for stronger concentrations. Also, if proven to kill the
bacteria at a higher concentration, the proponents thought that the effectiveness of the extract as
an antimicrobial agent is not limited to the microorganisms that were mentioned in this study.
Therefore, the proponents recommend to do more research to look for other organisms that the
extract could be effective against as well.

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