Author

Vismaya N Kumar, Prabhakumari C and Sonia John

Abstract

Abstract: The study analyzes the phytochemical constituents and the antibacterial activity of methanol extracts of young and mature leaves of Anacardium occidentale L. Phytochemical screening and Total Phenol Content (TPC) of leaf extracts were done using standard protocols. Antibacterial activity was assessed by Disc diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was tested by Tube method and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration by agar plate method. The screening tests showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and tannins in both young and mature leaves extract. But, saponins and steroidal compounds were present only in young leaf extracts. Further, the total phenolic content of the extracts was estimated and results found that most of the phenolic compounds can be extracted from mature leaves in methanol (246±3.4 mg/g). The antibacterial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The mature leaf (MM) extract showed inhibitory effect against all three test organisms with a zone of inhibition of 10mm (E. coli), 13mm (S. pneumoniae) and 15mm (V. cholerae).  While young leaf extract (YM) showed inhibition against E. coli and V. cholerae with a zone of inhibition of 12 and 13mm respectively but was not effective against P. aeruginosa. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of both extracts was also evaluated. The MIC against E. coli was 187.5ug/ml and 325ug/ml for mature and young leaf extracts respectively. This study compares the phytochemical profile and antibacterial activity of young and mature leaf extracts and reveals that mature leaves are better source of pharmaceuticals. This study sheds an insight into the preferable stage of leaves to be used for pharmaceutical purposes and raw consumption.

Pages: 326-333

Doi Number 10.5958/2455-7218.2022.00032.8

Keywords Anacardium occidentale L., Antibacterial activity, Minimum Bactericidal Concentration, Minimum Inhib