ANTIMICROBIAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF DIFFERENT LEAF EXTRACTS OF MEMECYLON UMBELLATUM BURM

Abstract

Nine different solvents based on extractive values were used for extraction. Extraction of air dried coarse leaf powder was carried out by maceration and soxhletion. Extracts were dried under reduced pressure and screened for phytoconsituents. Yield was found maximum with methanol extract (28.36g) followed by aqueous (15.72g) and minimum with solvent ether (0.375g). Dried extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity using doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and fluconazole as standards along with individual solvent as controls. Cylindrical cup plate method was used for activity using 8mm dia. borer. Zones of inhibition were measured by zone reader after 24h of incubation for bacteria and 48h for fungi. Acetone extracts showed maximum antimicrobial activity followed by n-butanol, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol. Aqueous and pet. ether extracts showed activity only against S. aureus while ether extracts showed activity only against E. coli and chloroform extract only against B. subtilis. All the organic solvent extracts failed to show antifungal activity. Ethanolic extract obtained by Soxhlet extraction showed maximum antibacterial activity against Micrococcus luteus. MIC for butanol, ethyl acetate and methanol was found 0.5mg while in other extracts it was more up to 15mg. Polar solvents showed presence of tannins, glycosides, proteins and organic acids while non polar solvents showed presence of steroids, triterpenes and polysaccharides.