Abstract

BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF MERREMIA EMARGINATA FOR ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES

Devadasu Ch.*, Naga Jyothi N., Srinivasa Babu P. and Afzal Basha SK.

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this research work is to evaluate the Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-fungal activity from the pooled extract (ethyl acetate) of the dried leaves of Merremia emarginata and screening of the extract for antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening as per the standard methods and found to have the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, carbohydrates and reducing sugars, glycosides, proteins and amino acids, steroids and triterpinoids, phenolic compounds and tannins, flavanoids, fixed oils and fats, volatile oils, gums and mucilages. These biological evaluations are done by means of standard in vitro assays (agar well (6mm) diffusion or Tube dilution) utilizing a broad spectrum of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the extract against these organisms was studied by agar well diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity was carried out in dose dependent manner at 800 μg and 1000 μg per well. The highest antibacterial activity was exhibited by extract against E. faecalis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae at 1000 μg. The anti fungal activity was carried out against Asperillus niger and Candida albicans using Fluconazole as a standard. The invitro antioxidant activity was carried out by using DPPH method. Physicochemical studies were performed to determine alcohol soluble extraction, Water soluble extraction, Total ash value, Acid insoluble ash value (dilute HCl), Sulphated ash value, Water soluble ash value. The foreign matter in one gram of plant powder was found to be 1.1%. The moisture content of the powdered drug was found to be 0.12%.

Keywords: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anti-fungal, screening, antimicrobial activity.