Screening of phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of traditional medicinal plants

Abstract

In the present study the leaves of three traditional plants namely Tecoma stans, Heliotropium indicum and Mimo- sa pudica were screened for their phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity. Phyotochemical analysis carried out with petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides and tannins. Higher yield of phytochemicals was detected in petroleum ether and methanol extract and hence they were considered for further studies. Antibacterial activity was tested using agar well diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Pseudomonas sp and Staphylococcus sp. Antibacterial activity was exhibited by petroleum ether and methanol extracts of Tecoma stans and Heliotropium indicum against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. The petroleum ether and methanol extract of Mimosa pudi- ca showed inhibition against all the four microorganisms under study in a dosage dependent manner. Antifungal activity was tested against Penicillium notatum, Penicillium crysogenum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus and percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) was determined. Highest PIRG of upto 82.26% by methanolic extract of Heliotropium indicum against Penicillium crysogenum was observed.