STUDIES ON BIOCHEMICAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF THREE MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT FRUITS

Medicinal plants are essential in our balanced life diet and are in demand in allopathic and herbal medicine. The present study was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Phyllanthus emblica (Euphorbiaceae), Averrhoa bilimbi (Oxalidaceae) and Phyllanthus acidus (Euphorbiaceae) fruits. The preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. Total phenolic, flavonoid, protein, vitamin-C and tannin content were analyzed. Antioxidant and antibacterial activity was assessed by DPPH and agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, phenols, proteins, and amino acids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, resins and emodols in different fruit extracts. The phenolics, protein and vitamin C content were higher in Phyllanthus emblica fruits. While flavonoids and tannin content was higher in Averrhoa bilimbi fruits. The free radical scavenging activity was significantly higher in Phyllanthus emblica fruits. Maximum inhibition of antibacterial activity was noticed in Phyllanthus emblica against Bacillus subtilis followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli respectively. In conclusion, our studies provide evidence that fruit extracts of these medicinal plants can be recommended as potential sources of nutraceuticals and for pharmaceutical industries.