<i>In vitro</i> Antibacterial Activity Analysis of Leaves of <i>Limonia acidissima</i>

Abstract

The present study was carried out the antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of the hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of leaves of Limonia acidissima. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against four Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris) and five Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae) by agar well diffusion method. Methanol extract showed good antibacterial activity with the high inhibition zones while chloroform extract exhibited mild to moderate activity and hexane extract was found to be less active. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites like steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids. The results of the present study suggest that leaves of Limonia acidissima can be used to treating infectious diseases caused by E. coli, P. vulgarisand S. pneumoniae.