EFFICACY OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF PLANT DESMODIUM TRIFLORUM FOR POTENTIAL ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of aqueous and methanolic extracts of plant Desmodium triflorum for potential antibacterial activity. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis of Desmodium triflorum belonging to family Fabeacea was examined using aqueous and methanolic extracts. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of whole plant were investigated individually for antibacterial activity by agar disc diffusion method as well as by agar well diffusion method. Both the extracts were tested against selected species of Staphylococcus aureus (G^+ve), Micrococcus luteus (G^+ve), Bacillus pumilus (G+ve), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (G^-ve), Pseudomonas fluorescens (G-ve), Escheria coli (G^-ve) to find the inhibitory activities of microbes at the dose level of 50 and 100 µg/ml.

Result: The phytochemical analysis of aqueous and methanolic extracts confirmed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. Methanolic extract of Desmodium triflorum showed considerably high antibacterial activities against (G^+ve) bacteria than aqueous extract.

Conclusion: Although the active components were not isolated but antibacterial active plant principles such as flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins were observed in the extract. Methanolic extract of Desmodium triflorum possess effective antibacterial properties for (G^+ve) bacteria.