ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF LEAVES AND ROOT EXTRACT OF Manilkara Zapota L. (CHIKU)
Abstract
Manilkara zapota L. commonly known as chiku is a shrub, belongs to the family Sapotaceae. The different parts of the plant such as the leaves, bark and seeds have been extensively studied for antibacterial activity. The current study was aimed at estimation of antibacterial potential of methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Manilkara zapota prepared in various concentrations i.e. 25 mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 75mg/ml against six bacterial strains i.e
. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (1), Escherichia coli (2), Shigella sonnei, Streptococcus pyogenes and Neisseria gonorrhoeae by well diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus showed more inhibition to methanolic and ethanolic extracts of all three plants and plants extracts remained almost ineffective against Shigella sonnei. Phytochemical screenings confirmed the presence of saponins, phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids in M. zapota. The antimicrobial potential exhibited by M. zapota validates its traditional therapeutic uses. Various phytochemicals from the selected medicinal plant yield antibacterial agents that support the capabilities of these plants as major component in possible antibacterial formulation.