Screening of Bioactive compounds and antimicrobial properties from plant extracts of Biscofia javanica

Abstract

Phytochemicals are primary or secondary product of Plant's metabolism. They have many biological activities in the plant including role in plant growth and defense against competitors, pathogens or predators. These bioactive compounds of plants are the core of the traditional ethnic medicine practices among many tribes. Biscofia javanica, commonly known as Uriam is a tree in tropical areas of the world. The leaves of Uriam have been used by the people of Tai-Phake community of Assam against different stomach ailments. Leaves have been traditionally used for their daily meal and perceived to have therapeutic value among this community. Current investigation evaluated the bioactive compound present in the leaves Biscofia javanica. The leaves were collected from Nam-Phake village of Assam. Leaves were air-dried at 25ᵒ-30ᵒC for 2 weeks before grinded into powder. The smooth leaf powder was used to prepare the extract by using water, ethanol and the combination of both water and ethanol (50%) solvents. Presence of phytochemicals was tested using biochemical tests. Saponin, Steroids, Glycosides, Terpenoids, Phenols, Tannins, Flavonoids, Proteins, Carbohydrates were found to be present. Antimicrobial activities of different solvent extracts of Biscofia javanica were tested using Agar well diffusion method and highest zone of inhibition was measured against test organism. Our study was a very small attempt to validate their knowledge with scientific approach. Further studies will be able to reveal the mechanism of its therapeutic activity and its broad range antimicrobial properties against other human pathogen.