Evaluation of the stem bark of Pistacia integerrima Stew ex Brandis for its antimicrobial and phytotoxic activities

Abstract

The antimicrobial and phytotoxic activities of the crude methanolic extract and its subsequent solvent fractions of Pistacia integerrima bark were investigated. The outstanding activity was shown by the ethyl acetate fraction followed by aqueous fraction against Staphylococcus aureus having zone of inhibition 19 and 15 mm respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction was also effective againsn, Proteus vulgarishaving zone of inhibition 15 mm. The outstanding minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) was observed against Staphylococcus aureus by ethyl acetate (0.31 mg/ml) andSalmonella typhi by hexane fraction (0.37 mg/ml). The crude methanolic extract and subsequent solvent fractions were also tested against two fungal strains, that is,Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger; no outstanding antifungal activity was found. All the fractions are good herbicidal and weedicidal at high concentration, however the considerable activity was shown by ethyl acetate (90% growth inhibition) followed by chloroform (70% growth inhibition) and methanol (60% growth inhibition) at a concentration of 500 ppm. The ability of crude methanol extract and its subsequent solvent fractions, specially the ethyl acetate fraction, to inhibit the growth of microorganism and plant Lemna minor L as an indication of its antimicrobial and phytotoxic potential. This provides a baseline for isolation and identification of new antimicrobial and phytotoxic compounds to the world of medicine.   Key words: Pistacia integerrima bark, antimicrobial, phytotoxic, minimum inhibitory concentration.