Phytochemical screening and assessment of antibacterial activity for the bioactive compounds in Annona muricata

Abstract

In India, many forms of alternative medicines are available for those who do not want conventional medicine (or) who cannot be helped by conventional medicine. Ayurvedha and Kabiraji (Herbal medicine) are two important forms of alternative medicine that is widely available in India. Many herbs and species are used in Indian cooking such as onion, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamom, Coriander etc. Ayurvedic medicine uses all of these either in diet or as a medicine. Some of these medicinal plants like Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentia) and Ghritkumari (Aleo barbadensis) have been featured on Indian postage stamps. Among this one of the important medicinal plants which show many medicinal properties is Annona muricata(In Tamil, Mullu seetha). It is a small upright evergreen tree 5-6 meter height with large, glossy, dark green leaves. It produce a large heart shaped, edible fruit is 5-20 cm in diameter, yellow green in colour and has white flesh inside. Annonaceous acetogeneins are powerful phytochemicals found in the Graviola ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 1 (2013) pp. 1 8