Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity of Digera Muricata (L.) Mart.

Abstract

The successive Soxhlet extract of Digera muricata (L.) Mart. (Amaranthaceae) were extracted using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water in ascending order of the polarity. These extracts were subjected to screening of preliminary phytochemicals tests. The results indicate the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenes and saponins. These extracts further subjected to the antimicrobial activity. Among the bacteria used, the petroleum ether extract gave highest zone of inhibition at 400 µg/well against V. cholerae. Similarly, in fungi the ethanol extract exhibited highest zone of inhibition at 400 µg/well against Candida albicans.