ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BARK OF PRUNUS CORNUTA

Prunus cornuta (family Rosaceae) commonly known as ‘Himalayan Bird Cherry’, is a deciduous tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at elevations of 2100-3500 meters. It is hardy to zone (Uttarakhand) 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects and birds. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. Plant extract (sample named PC-1) of Prunus cornuta bark was prepared in methanol and the prepared extract was subjected to Phytochemical screening which shows the presence of steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannin, saponin, carbohydrate, protein etc. The methanolic extract ( sample named PC-1)   of powdered bark of Prunus cornuta  were examined for their antimicrobial activity using agar well diffusion method against different pathogenic bacterial stains like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Thus minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of resulting extract were also checked. The sensitivity of the pathogens was also checked with standard antibiotics erythromycin, Fluconazole, and N-saline. The present study was intended to evaluate the qualitative analysis of P.cornuta methanolic extract and also to examine their antimicrobial activity against different pathogenic bacteria.