Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of Oxalis corniculata; a known medicinal plant

Abstract

Oxalis corniculata Linn. (Family; Oxalidaceae) was tested for antibacterial activity against three important pathovars of Xan-thomonas and fourteen human pathogenic bacteria. Powdered leaf material was extracted with different solvents viz., petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, methanol and ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus. All the solvent extracts were evaporated to dryness using rotary flash evaporator. Dry residue was dissolved in re-spective solvents (1:10 w/v) and tested for antibacterial activity. Among five solvents tested, methanol and ethanol extracts showed significant antibacterial activity when compared with K-cycline and Bact-805 for plant pathogens, Gentamicin and Streptomycin for human pathogens. Phytochemical analysis of the leaf mate-rial revealed that the antibacterial activity of the plant material is because of the presence of phenolic compounds.