PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF AZIMA TETRACANTHAL

Abstract

Azima tetracantha L is the most important Indian medicinal plant used in the treatment of various diseases. The phytochemical studies on the plate (leaf) extract showed that the components present in the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts were found to be carbohydrates, tannins and phenolic compounds, flavonoids and lignin. The antimicrobial activity of ethanol, diethyl ether, petroleum benzene and ethyl acetate of Azima tetracantha L leaves were tested on two gram positive organisms (Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus epidermidis), three gram negative organisms; (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi) and three fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Candida sp.). The zones of inhibition ranged between 6mm to 19mm for bacterial pathogens and 9mm to 20mm for fungal pathogens. Extracts made in ethanol and ethyl acetate was found to be effective against most or the organisms. For interest, the four solvent extract of leaves of Azima tetracantha L were mixed or combined together and tested against eight microorganisms at varying concentration.