Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Pharmaceutics

Department

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Committee Chair and Members

Deboarah Kayode, Chair

Abdullah Alzahrani

Ahmed Abu Fayyad

Keywords

Bahamian medicinal plants, Momordica charantia, Mosiera longipes, Natural cosmetic ingredients, Phytochemical analysis, Tabebuia bahamensis

Abstract

This thesis explores the phytochemical composition and cosmetic potential of three Bahamian botanicals- Mosiera longipes (MLE), Tabebuia bahamensis (TBE), and Momordica charantia (MCE)---traditionally used in local bush medicine. Methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and incorporated into topical cream formulations. While HPLC-DAD analysis was performed, no compounds were definitively identified due to hardware limitations; chromatographic data remain preliminary, providing a foundation for future validation. Formulations were assessed for stability under centrifugation, thermal cycling, and long-term storage. All samples demonstrated acceptable initial pH values within the skin-compatible range (4.5-5.5): BWE (5.63 ± 0.04), TBE (5.47 ± 0.02), MLE (5.72 ± 0.04), and MCE (5.66 ± 0.07). After 30 days at 40 °C, pH decreased to 5.24±0.02 (BWE), 5.19±0.01 (TBE), 5.18±0.01 (MLE), and 5.40±0.03 (MCE), confirming expected thermal degradation. At 25 °C and 4 °C, pH remained relatively stable. Under thermal cycling, MCE exhibited the most consistent stability, decreasing from 5.66 ± 0.07 to 5.53 ± 0.01 over six cycles. MLE showed the largest pH drop, from 5. 72 ± 0.04 to 5.19±0.01. No phase separation or significant physical degradation was observed across conditions. However, microbial growth occurred in all samples, likely due to inadequate preservation and compromised sterility. Despite this, the study demonstrates the feasibility of using these extracts in cosmetic formulations and supports further investigation. Findings offer a preliminary framework for the development of stable, bioactive, plant-based skincare products rooted in Bahamian ethnobotanical knowledge.

Download

Share

COinS