Abstract
Carica papaya L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers, Euphorbia hirta L., Melia azedarach L., Psidium guajava L. belong to 5 different families, viz., Caricaceae, Gramineae (Poaceae), Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae and Myrtaceae. The plant leaves contain a number of medicinally important compounds. In the present study, we evaluated the phytochemical analysis for the quantity of amino acids, α amylase, β- amylase, carbohydrate, glutamine, protein, proline, phenolic compounds and the presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, anthroquinone, catachol, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steriods, triterpenoids, tannins. The antibacterial activity of the leaf extracts of Carica papaya, Cynodon dactylon, Euphorbia hirta, Melia azedarach and Psidium guajava against pathogenic bacteria like gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria by in vitro agar well diffusion method. The plants aqueous leaf extracts showed pronounced inhibition than chloroform leaf extracts. Leaf extracts showed more inhibitory action on Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Recommended Citation
Suresh, K. et al.
(2008)
"Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Investigation of the Leaves of Carica papaya L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Euphorbia hirta L., Melia azedarach L. and Psidium guajava L.,"
Ethnobotanical Leaflets: Vol. 2008:
Iss.
1, Article 157.
Available at:
https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ebl/vol2008/iss1/157