In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Phytochemical Extracts from Leaves of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae)

Abstract

The present study was carried out to screen and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts from Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Petroleum ether, Dichloromethane, Chloroform, Ethanol and Aqueous extract of the leaves were tested against selected Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Results depict that phytochemical extracts of A. marmelos exhibited significant anti-bacterial activity. However, the inhibitory activity was found to be both organism and solvent dependent. Ethanol and chloroform leaf extracts of Aegel marmelos were found to be more active towards the bacterial species tested. The leaf extracts inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacterial species. Further, the aqueous leaf extract was moderately active followed by dichloromethane extract. However, petroleum ether extract was not effective against any of the organisms tested. Growth of Lactobacillus bulgaris and Bacillus cereus was not inhibited by any of the tested leaf extracts of A. marmelos. The study shows that ethanol and chloroform leaf extracts of A. marmelos can be used as a potential source of antimicrobial agents.