Influence of Solvent Type, Extraction Time, and Fruit Fraction on Phenolic Yield and Antibacterial Activity of Momordica cochinchinensis (Gac) Extracts

Patamaporn Sukplang, Acharawan Thongmee — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Plant-derived phenolic compounds have attracted increasing attention as natural antimicrobial agents due to growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance and consumer demand for safer, naturally sourced alternatives. This study investigated how solvent polarity and extraction duration influence the phenolic content and antibacterial activity of Momordica cochinchinensis (gac) extracts obtained from aril, pulp, and seeds. Three solvents (ethyl acetate, 95% ethanol, and water) and three extraction times (24, 48, and 72 h) were evaluated. Total phenolic content (TPC) was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa through disk diffusion, MIC, and MBC assays. The ethyl acetate seed extract yielded the highest TPC (565 ± 1.15 µg GAE/mL at 72 h) and produced the most bioactive fractions across all sample types. Notably, antibacterial activity peaked at 48 h even though the TPC continued to increase up to 72 h, suggesting that prolonged extraction may reduce the stability or functional availability of certain phenolic constituents. The 48-hour ethyl acetate extracts exhibited broad-spectrum inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including strains typically more tolerant to plant-derived antimicrobials. Although the phytochemical composition of the aril, pulp, and seeds differs, they all provide meaningful antibacterial effects. The recovery of bioactive compounds from the seed, a commonly discarded byproduct, underscores the potential for valorizing underutilized biomass. These findings highlight the importance of solvent–time optimization and support the development of gac-derived natural antimicrobial agents for future food, cosmetic, and biomedical applications.

Effectiveness of Teams Games Tournament Technique in Basic Drug Education among Grade 5 and 6 Students in a Primary School in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Satapat Racha, Kannika Racha, Aurapin Phianrungrueang — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study evaluated the feasibility and student satisfaction of the Teams Games Tournament (TGT) cooperative learning technique for delivering medicines and illicit drugs education to primary school students. A one-group pretest–posttest study was conducted with 33 Grade 5 and 30 Grade 6 students at Banthakwian School, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The 90-minute intervention included an educational video followed by a structured competitive tournament with oral quizzes and immediate feedback. Knowledge was assessed using an 8-item quiz, and satisfaction was measured using a 9-item Likert-scale questionnaire. Immediate post-lesson knowledge gains were not statistically significant: Grade 5 scores increased slightly from 5.94 ± 1.80 to 6.18 ± 2.24 (p = 0.309), whereas Grade 6 scores decreased marginally from 6.93 ± 1.17 to 6.73 ± 1.17 (p = 0.264). Grade 6 students demonstrated high baseline knowledge (86.6%), suggesting a potential ceiling effect. Despite modest and statistically non-significant short-term cognitive gains, satisfaction was high in both grades (overall mean ± SD 3.99 ± 0.60), with students reporting high interest, enjoyment, and perceived engagement/participation. Although statistically significant improvements in knowledge were not observed, the TGT activity demonstrated feasibility and high student satisfaction in primary school medicines and illicit drugs education. Future implementations may benefit from multi-session delivery and differentiated content complexity tailored to students’ prior knowledge to support knowledge retention.

Interprofessional Journal of Health Sciences

Influence of Solvent Type, Extraction Time, and Fruit Fraction on Phenolic Yield and Antibacterial Activity of Momordica cochinchinensis (Gac) Extracts

Effectiveness of Teams Games Tournament Technique in Basic Drug Education among Grade 5 and 6 Students in a Primary School in Chiang Mai, Thailand