Antibacterial Activities of Corn Waste Crude Extracts
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Corn is an economically important crop used as food for both humans and animals. Its large-scale production generates substantial amounts of agricultural waste, which can be processed into bioactive extracts with antibacterial properties. The objectives of this study were to obtain crude extracts containing bioactive compounds from different parts of corn waste, including corn husk and corn silk, using two solvents, ethanol and methanol, and to evaluate their effectiveness in inhibiting three pathogenic bacteria. The results of the agar disc diffusion assay showed that ethanolic and methanolic extracts of corn husk and corn silk, prepared at a concentration of 400 mg/mL and applied at an amount equivalent to 8 mg/disc, exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus TISTR 1395, with mean inhibition zone diameters ranging from 8.6 ± 0.4 to 11.2 ± 0.8 mm. However, these extracts showed no inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 or Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the crude extracts from both corn husk and corn silk against Bacillus cereus TISTR 1395 were determined to be 4 mg/mL. These findings provide preliminary evidence that corn husk and corn silk have the potential to serve as valuable sources of antibacterial compounds effective against specific bacterial species.
Article Details
References
[1] Jompuk, C. and Pakoktom, T., 2004, Corn, pp. 54-73, In Faculty members from Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University (Ed.), Economic crops, Kasetsart University, Bangkok. (in Thai)
[2] Aekatasanawan, C. and Thongkhruea, K., Cultivation of Corns, Available Source: https://bit.ly/3JVShQT, April 28, 2026. (in Thai)
[3] Kongsamai, B., Leangumnuay, P., Pooworakulchai, P. and Auvuchanon, A., 2019, Genetic diversity of the 18 commercial waxy corn cultivars based on SRAP markers, Agric. Sci. Manag. J. 2(2): 114-120. (in Thai)
[4] Office of Agricultural Research and Development Region 5, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives 2022, Optimized Production Technology for Fresh-market Corn in Central and West Regions, Available Source: https://www.doa.go.th/oard5/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KM65-corn.pdf, May 1, 2026. (in Thai)
[5] Chusiri, Y., Jaimun, R. and Kongmee, W., 2015, The study of xylose extraction from corn cob and corn husk waste, RDIBRU. 11(Special edition): 63–67. (in Thai)
[6] Nawaz, H., Aslam, M. and Muntaha, S. T., 2019, Effect of solvent polarity and extraction method on phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of corn silk, Free Radicals Antioxid. 9(1): 5-11.
[7] Yucharoen, R. and Srisuksomwong, P., 2022, Development of cosmetic product from corn silk extracts, YRUJST. 7(1): 85-93. (in Thai)
[8] AlSheikh, H. M. A., Sultan, I., Kumar, V., Rather, I. A., Al-Sheikh, H., Tasleem Jan, A. and Haq, Q. M. R., 2020, Plant-based phytochemicals as possible alternative to antibiotics in combating bacterial drug resistance, Antibiotics (Basel, Switz.). 9(8): 480.
[9] McDowell, R. H. and Friedman, H., Bacillus cereus, Available Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459121/, April 8, 2026
[10] Sathe, N., Beech, P., Croft, L., Suphioglu, C., Kapat, A. and Athan, E., 2023, Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Infections and novel approaches to treatment “Knowing the enemy” the threat of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and exploring novel approaches to treatment, Infect. Med. 2(3): 178-194.
[11] Naidoo, N. and Zishiri, O. T., 2025, Presence, pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors of Escherichia coli: A review, Bacteria. 4(1): 16.
[12] CLSI, 2024, CLSI standard M02: Performance standards for antimicrobial disk susceptibility tests, 14th Ed., Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, Pennsylvania.
[13] CLSI, 2024, CLSI standard M07: Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically, 12th Ed., Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, Pennsylvania.
[14] Meesil, W., Wisuitiprot, W., Ngoenkam, J., Muangpat, P., Teethaisong, Y., Sittisak, S., Vitta, A. and Thanwisai, A., 2025., Antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Trends Sci. 22(2): 8854.
[15] Chaiphech, K., Tanomtong, A. and Chaiphech, S., 2020, Investigation of extraction methods, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of crude extracts of Eurycoma longifolia (Pla Lai Phueak Yai) root, Koch Cha Sarn J. Sci. 42(2): 40-57. (in Thai)
[16] Tsaturyan, A., Sahakyan, L., Hayrapetyan, L., Minasyan, E., Chakhoyan, A., Mirzoyan, V., Hovhannisyan, G., Khachatryan, H. and Hayrapetyan, S., 2025, Effect of solvent polarity on the extraction of bioactive compounds from Heracleum persicum fruits, Pharmacia. 72: 1-9.
[17] Zuorro, A., Lavecchia, R., González-Delgado Á. D., García-Martinez J. B. and L’Abbate, P., 2019, Optimization of enzyme-assisted extraction of flavonoids from corn husks, Processes. 7(11): 804.
[18] Fernandez-Aulis, F., Hernandez-Vazquez, L., Aguilar-Osorio, G., Arrieta-Baez, D. and Navarro-Ocana, A., 2019, Extraction and identification of anthocyanins in corn cob and corn husk from Cacahuacintle maize, J. Food Sci. 84(5): 954-962.
[19] Laeliocattleya, R. A., 2019, The potential of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of corn silk (Zea mays L.) as sunscreen, AIP Conf. Proc. 2099., p. 020012.
[20] Sawangwong, W., Kiattisin, K., Somwongin, S., Wongrattanakamon, P., Chaiyana, W., Poomanee, W. and Sainakham, M., 2024, The assessment of composition, biological properties, safety and molecular docking of corn silk (Zea mays L.) extracts from the valorization of agricultural waste products in Thailand, Ind. Crops Prod. 212: 118352.
[21] Khushe, K. J., Wazed, Md. A., Islam, Md. R., Awal, Md. S. and Mozumder, N. H. M. R., 2024, Extraction and evaluation of bioactive compounds from immature and mature corn silk, J. Food Qual. 2024: 9552151.
[22] Correia, R., & Duarte, M. P., Maurício, E. M., Brinco, J., Quintela, J. C., Silva, M. and Gonçalves, M., 2022, Chemical and functional characterization of extracts from leaves and twigs of Acacia dealbata, Processes. 10(11): 2429.
[23] Paseephol, T., Prathum, R. and Suriyakhan, S., 2018, Phytochemical screening and total phenolic content of bi-color sweetcorn silk extracts, Khon Kaen Agr. J. 46(1) Special edition: 1316-1320. (in Thai)
[24] Nurhanan, A. and Wan Rosli, W. I., 2013, Evaluation of polyphenol content and antioxidant activities of some selected organic and aqueous extracts of cornsilk (Zea mays Hairs), J. Med. Bioeng. 1(1): 47-50.
[25] Vijayalaxmi, S., Jayalakshmi, S. K. and Sreeramulu, K., 2015, Polyphenols from different agricultural residues: extraction, identification and their antioxidant properties. J. Food Sci. Technol. 52(5): 2761-2769.
[26] Odelola, O. S., Oyetayo , V. O., Ogundare , A. O., Omoya , F. O. and Ajayi, O. E., 2023, Antibacterial activity of Zea mays silks and husks crude extract on biofilm producing multi-drug resistant bacteria from urinary catheters, Int. J. Pathog. Res. 12(2): 37-51.
[27] Limmatvapirat, C., 2004, Drug discovery from compound decomposition, Thai Bull. Pharm. Sci. 1(1): 113-122. (in Thai)
[28] Muzaffar, J., Hussain, A., Bibi, A., Ahmad, A., Wahab, A. and Bano, S. A., 2025, Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of maize silk extract: Public health perspective investigations, Open Access Pub. Health & Health Admin. Rev. 1(1): 96-112.
[29] Abirami, S., Priyalakshmi, M., Soundariya, A., Samrot, A. V., Saigeetha, S., Emilin, R. R., Dhiva, S. and Inbathamizh, L., 2021, Antimicrobial activity, antiproliferative activity, amylase inhibitory activity and phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract of corn (Zea mays L.) silk, Curr. Res. Green Sustainable Chem. 4: 100089.
[30] Nessa, F., Ismail, Z. and Mohamed, N., 2012, Antimicrobial activities of extracts and flavonoid glycosides of corn silk (Zea mays L), Int. J. Biotechnol. Wellness Ind. 1(2): 115-120.
[31] Silhavy, T. J., Kahne, D. and Walker, S., 2010, The bacterial cell envelope, Cold Spring Harbor Perspect. Biol. 2(5): a000414.
[32] Torrens, G. and Cava, F., 2024, Mechanisms conferring bacterial cell wall variability and adaptivity, Biochem. Soc. Trans. 52(5): 1981-1993.
[33] Chuenchan, W., Phakdee, D., Fungkajorn, L. and Yooboriboon, S., 2020, Effects of tea extracts for inhibition of enteropathogenic bacteria, J. Sci. Ladkrabang. 29(1): 38-49. (in Thai)
[34] Makade, C. S., Shenoi, P. R., Bhongade, B. A., Shingane, S. A., Ambulkar, P. C. and Shewale, A. M., 2024, Estimation of MBC: MIC ratio of herbal extracts against common endodontic pathogens, J. Pharm. Bioallied Sci. 16(Suppl 2): S1414-S1416.
[35] de Azevedo, A. S., Seibert, J. B., Amparo, T. R., dos Santos Antunes, A., Dutra Sousa, L. R., de Souza, G. H. B., Teixeira L. F. M., de Abreu Vieira, P. M., dos Santos, V. M. R., do Nascimento, A. M. and do Nascimento, A. M., 2022, Chemical constituents, antioxidant potential, antibacterial study and photoprotective activity of Brazilian corn silk extract, Food Sci. Technol. 42: e98421.
[36] Li, L., Jin, J., Hu, H., Deveau, I. F., Foley, S. L. and Chen, H., 2022, Optimization of sporulation and purification methods for sporicidal efficacy assessment on Bacillus spores, J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 49(4): kuac014.
[37] Ahmad, T., Singh, S. and Siddiqui, S., 2021, Evaluation of phytochemical and bactericidal activities of selected fruit wastes, J. Food, Agric. Environ. 19(1): 79-84.
[38] Vaou, N., Stavropoulou, E., Voidarou, C., Tsigalou, C. and Bezirtzoglou, E., 2021, Towards advances in medicinal plant antimicrobial activity: A review study on challenges and future perspectives, Microorganisms. 9(10): 2041.