Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of stem, leaves and aerial roots of Epipremnum aureum: An indoor air pollution removing plant

Abstract

Epipremnum aureum belonging to the family Araceae is commonly known as money plant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of various phytochemical constituents which is responsible for the medicinal properties in aerial parts of the plant. The aerial parts such as leaves, stem and aerial roots were used and successively extracted in three different solvents viz. methanol, ethanol and acetone. The crude extracts of the aerial parts in three solvents were also used for determining antimicrobial activity. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical test for different extract shows the presence of alkaloids, saponins, carbohydrate, glycosides, amino acids and phenol. Among the three extracts methanol extract shows presence of all phytochemicals and shows antimicrobial activity against E.coli, S.aureus, B. subtilis and P.aeurginosa. Ethanol and acetone extract of aerial roots shows 12-13 mm zone of inhibition for E.coli. Thus the positive results suggest that Epipremnum aureum extracts should be further studied to determine the bioactive chemical compounds as well as to understand the possible mechanism of action and evaluate their toxicity looking towards pharmaceutical actions.