Antimicrobial screening and phytochemical analysis of the resin part of Acacia catechu

Abstract

Kattha, which is used as a chewing ingredient, is a resin part of Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. (Leguminoseae). The Antimicrobial screening and phytochemical analysis were performed to prove the antibacterial property and presence of active phytochemicals in extracts of Acacia catechu. The agar diffusion method was selected to check antimicrobial activity. A phytochemical analysis was done using a HPTLC instrument. Antimicrobial testing demonstrated excellent results with the petroleum ether extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 μg/mL), followed by the aqueous extract against Bacillus subtilis (20 μg/mL) and the chloroform extract against Staphylococcus aureus (30 μg/mL). Two major phytochemical constitutents, epicatechin and quercetin, were identified by HPTLC as active ingredients in the extract. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.