Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Antibacterial Acitivity of Methanol and Aqueous Extracts of Acalypha Racemosa Leaves

The extracts obtained from this plant were subjected to be screened for phytochemical constituents and in vitro investigation of methanol and aqueous extracts. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, phlabatanins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Glycoside and cardiac glycoside, tannins and sterols were in traced amount. The in vitro antibacterial investigation of the crude extract was conducted. The studies showed that the plant contains compounds that have antibacterial activity. The extracts revealed greater potential against the test bacteria with zones of inhibition ranging from 20-30mm for methanol extract in the order Escherichia coli>Klebsiella penumoniae>Proteus mirabilis>Bacillus subtilis>Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 18-27mm for aqueous extract in the order Escherichia coli> Bacillus subtilis> Klebsiella penumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa> Proteus mirabilis. All the bacteria were more susceptible to methanol extract than the aqueous extract as indicated in the zones of inhibition with exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in which there was no inhibition. The aqueous extract had effect on all the test bacteria although having zones of inhibition lower than the methanol extract. The MIC of both the extracts range from 12.5–50mg/ml and the MBC range from 25-100mg/ml. Escherichia coli was more susceptibility to the both extracts and less was seen in the case of aqueous extract against Proteus mirabilis.