<i>Bridelia retusa</i> (L.) Spreng. Fruits: Antimicrobial Efficiency and their Phytochemical Constituents

Abstract

Antimicrobial analysis of hexane, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of Bridelia retusa fruits was performed by agar well method and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by serial two-fold dilution method. Seven human pathogenic bacteria species including Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and three fungal species were used in the study and the results indicated that the Gram positive bacteria and fungi were more sensitive than the Gram negative bacteria, to both solvent and aqueous Bridelia retusa fruit extracts. Moreover, Enterococcus faecalis was found as the most sensitive bacteria, whereas Proteus vulgaris and Aspergillu niger were the most resistant to the tested extracts. Phytochemical analysis of fruits revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloid, saponins and terpenoids, which have been implicated in antimicrobial activities. Hence, it would be recommended to explore the maximum potential of Bridelia retusa in the medicinal and pharmaceutical field and investigation are endorsed for further application useful in phytomedicine.