Studies on phytochemical properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of seeds of Gymnacranthera farquhariana (Hook. f. & Thomson) Warb.

Abstract

In the present study, preliminary phytochemical screening has been made in methanol and aqueous extract of Gymnacranthera farquhariana seeds with standard protocols. The extractions were carried out using soxhlet. It showed the presence of phytoconstituents namely carbohydrates, proteins, phenolics, resins, tannins and alkaloids. Antimicrobial activities were tested against five bacterial species, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis by agar well diffusion method. The results of antimicrobial activity studies exhibited higher activity of methanol extract against all the microorganisms over aqueous extract. Similarly, the methanolic extracts showed good antioxidant activity. These results indicate that seeds of this endemic plant can be explored for treatment of some diseases.

Keywords: Chaithanneya and Rama P. Bhat