Comparative studies on phytochemistry, antibacterial and antifungal properties of Alstonia scholaris and Millettia pinnata

Abstract

Phytochemical profiles and antimicrobial activities of A. scholaris and M. pinnata extracts have been assessed. Test microorganisms were evaluated for their susceptibility against aqueous, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane and chloroform extracts from leaves of both plant species. Antibacterial effects were evaluated against eight bacterial species (three gram positive and five gram negative) of high economic importance, whereas antifungal effects were evaluated against three devastating fungal pathogens. Maximum number of phytochemical groups was noted in methanol and aqueous extracts of both plant species which showed the best antibacterial activities. This indicates that methanol extract contained a wide range of antibiotic compounds, whereas ethanol extract was least effective against tested bacterial and fungal species. This study supports the use of plant origin pesticides against pathogenic microbes. © Australasian Plant Pathology Society Inc. 2014.