PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Medicinal plants are the attracters now days for their immense therapeutic potential with minor side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemicals and anti- microbial activity of a medicinally rich plant Zanonia indica L. It is used as an important medicinal plant by traditional practitioners. Successive solvent extracts of Zanonia indica was obtained using Soxhlet extraction process. Hexane, chloroform, acetone, methanol and distilled water was used for extracting the crude compounds. Qualitative phytochemical evaluation of these extracts showed the existence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, carbohydrates, saponins, quinones, resins, proteins and glycosides. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of hexane extract, chloroform extract acetone extract, methanol extract and water extract for total alkaloids, total flavonoids, total phenols and total terpenoids using HPLC evidenced that acetone extract and methanol extracts were rich in active ingredients. Antimicrobial activities of these extracts were made against different bacterial and fungal strains. The results of antimicrobial activity showed that E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescen, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus were resistant to all tested extracts. Methanol extract showed maximum inhibition zone against S. mutans (15.6 mm), S. typhi (18.8 mm) and A. niger (15 mm). This experimental work would substantiate the traditional knowledge scientifically to use the plant for controlling several diseases.