PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF STEM OF THE HERB BASELLA ALBA L. VAR RUBRA (L.) STEWART (FAMILY-BASELLACEAE)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity ethanolic extracts of Basella alba L. var. rubra (L.) stewart (family-basellaceae) along with phytochemical analysis.Methods: The ethanolic extract of stems of the herb Basella alba L. var. rubra (L.) stewart (family-basellaceae) were prepared and analysed for phytochemical constituents using standard methods. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts were examined against 2 bacterial strains among one is gram positive and other is gram negative and2 fungal strains using agar well diffusion method.Results: The present study describes the phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activity of Basella alba L. var. rubra (L.) stewart. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract were carried out and it revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, terpene, saponin. The presence of these bioactive constituents is associated with the antimicrobial activity of the plant. The extract solvated by ethanol showed varying levels of antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria namely E. coli, S. aureus, and fungi namely Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum. The study showed that the extract has a marked Sensitivity towards antibacterial strains namely E. coli, S. aureus, and antifungal strain namely Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum.Conclusion: The present study concluded ethanolic extract of stem of theBasella alba L. var. rubra (L.) stewartrevels many phytochemicals such as carbohydrate,tenin, saponin etc. This extract was found to possess promising antimicrobial activity when compared with the standards.