Abstract

STUDY OF PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF JATROPHA CURCAS L. (EUPHORBIACEAE)

Vidhya Kumari*, Siddhi Gupta and Dr. Shikha Roy

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical and antibacterial property of crude chloroform, methanolic and aqueous extracts of Jatropha curcas L stem were studied as part of searching new bio-active compounds. It is well known plant of family Euphorbiaceae is used as a therapeutic agent. Crude powder of stem was screened for the presence of chemically active compounds by standard methods and for antibacterial activity by zone of inhibition. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids and tannin. Antibacterial activity of Jatropha curcas showed varied degree of zone of inhibition against the tested bacterial pathogens. The methanol stem extract exhibited highest zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (13.3±0.04mm) among bacteria. The chloroform extract was also found to be effective against pathogenic strains tested. However, aqueous extracts of Jatropha curcus were found to be inactive against Bacillus subtilis, Escheria coli but gives the result against Pseudomonas putida (7.0± 0.05mm) this shows that more active ingrediant may not be dissolve in aqueous extract. Activity Index of methanolic crude extracts of Jatropha curcus stem for Bacillus subtilis is maximum (0.85). The medicinal values of this plant could be attributed to the presence of one or more of the detected metabolites. Plant extracts have great potential as antimicrobial compounds against microorganisms. Thus, they can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Keywords: Jatropha curcas, Antibacterial, Phytochemical. Inhibition zone, Activity Index, Euphorbiaceae.