The phytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of Amorpha fruticosa L. leaves extract

Desert false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.) is an invasive alien shrub, native to Southwest and North America, naturalized in Europe as an ornamental shrub species forming mono-dominant communities by replacing Salix triandra. A. fruticosa leaves extract was obtained by ultrasound-assisted method and the chemical composition was identified through Folin-Ciocalteu method for determining the phenolic content and aluminium trichloride method for the flavonoids content. The phytotoxicity bioassay was intended to demonstrate a specific traits of invasive plants, namely their ability to remove agricultural interest species by determining the effect of this extracts on root elongation and the mitotic film cell by Triticum assay. The antimicrobial activity was investigated by disk diffusion and microdillution method against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and yeast strains. The minimal inhibitory concentration varied from 0.09 to 0.66 % of the dried plant. This study demonstrated the phytotoxic ability of A. fruticosa invasive species revealed by changes induced to cell division but also their potential beneficial effects through their use as a therapeutic agent in antibiotherapy.