Comparative phytochemical studies and antimicrobial potential of fruit extracts of Feronia limonia Linn

Abstract

Objectives: To study the phytochemical screening of different extracts of Feronia limonia Linn (FL) fruit pulp for the presence of secondary metabolites and to screen their activity against microbes. Also, physico-chemical characters and fluorescence analysis, along with phytochemical screening of crude drug and extracts were carried out. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of pulp extracts were tested against bacteria and fungi through well diffusion method. Results: The results reveal that the petroleum ether, chloroform, methanolic and aqueous fruit pulp extract contain alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, triterpenoids, saponins and glycosides. Among all the extracts of pulp the highest sensitivity was recorded for methanolic extract followed by aqueous extract. Conclusion: The study shows that the different extracts of F. limonia against various bacterial and fungal strains indicate that the plant has potent antibacterial and antifungal effects. The result of the antimicrobial assay is an evidence of the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant and can be used as a potential source for developing new antimicrobial agents.