Peroxidase inhibition and antimicrobial activity of crude alkaloid and phenolic extracts from Fumaria agraria Lag.

Growing concerns about pesticide residues and antimicrobial resistance have increased interest in sustainable plant-based preservatives. In this context, the present study focuses on crude phenolic and alkaloid extracts of Fumaria agraria Lag. as well as investigated their effects on peroxidase activity and selected foodborne microorganisms. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified, and anti-peroxidase activity was assessed using a guaiacol assay with Lineweaver-Burk kinetic analysis. Antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans was determined using agar diffusion and broth microdilution to establish minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Alkaloid extracts exhibited stronger peroxidase inhibition (up to 60% at 0.4 mg mL-1) via a mixed-type mechanism and showed higher antimicrobial activity (MICs 0.52-4.16 mg mL-1), whereas phenolic extracts displayed moderate effects (MICs 8.33-16.66 mg mL-1). These results suggest the potential of F. agraria Lag. as a multifunctional natural preservative for environmentally friendly post-harvest strategies aimed at improving food safety and reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals.