Phytochemical screening and Antimicrobial activity of seeds and fruits extract of Momordica balsamina Linn

Abstract

Resistant strains are continuously appearing in the treatment of ailments and this necessitates the synthesis of new drugs especially from naturally occurring plants. The aim of the present study was to test the antimicrobial activity and screen the Phytochemical of herbal remedies Momordica balsamina linn. This medicinal plant is a very common indigenous plant of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The plant fruits and seeds were extracted using soxhlet with three solvents with different polarity starting with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol. Preliminary Phytochemical screening of each part extracts revealed the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, flavanoide, phenols, diterpenes, protein, and amino acids. Bioassay of antimicrobial activity of all extracts was tested against standard pathogenic microbial strains four bacterial strains and two fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Concentration 20 mg/ml showed significant activity in all extracts tested against at least three human pathogens bacteria strains and no significant activity against the fungal strain tested. The chloroform extract shows the higher clear zone of inhibition when compared to other extracts with a diameter of zones of inhibition of 25, 21, 19, and 18 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginesa, respectively. Moderate activity against Candida albicans showed by some extracts but no activity against Aspergilles niger. The findings revealed the medicinal potential of Momordica balsamina.