Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Potential of Garcinia Indica by Invitro Method and Evaluation of Its Phytoconstituents

Abstract

Garcinia indica (Kokum) trees are found in humid tropical regions of Western Ghats of India. Kokum is a tropical evergreen tree of moderate to large size. It grows to a height most useful part of the plant is the fruit of Kokum. This fruit is of commercial importance owing to its enormous medicinal properties. Kokum fruit is a popular condiment used in several states of India for making vegetarian and non-vegetarian “Curry” preparations, including the popular “ Solkadhi”.The rinds of Garcinia indica possesses an important phenolic compound called as Garcinol. There are many other compounds, beside garcinol which are present in the fruit and this study aims to investigate the antimicrobial properties of such compounds. Of all these compounds furfural and cyanidin-3-glucose are potent antimicrobials. The amount to which these compounds get extracted in different solvents determines the percent of bactericidal action. Extract of Garcinia indica was extracted by using various solvents like Ethanol, Methanol, Acetone and aqueous in Soxhlet Apparatus and antimicrobial test was tested by agar well diffusion method against various pathogens and Ethanol extract showed best results. Various concentrations of extract (10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml) were tested for in vitro antioxidant properties by reducing power ability test. Ferric reducing power of the extract was also evaluated by Oyaizu method Maximum antioxidant activity was observed at 100µg/ml. Ethanol and aqueous extract have shown the significant antimicrobial activity against E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus spp.,k.pneumoniae,Bacillus subtilis,Staphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 100µg/ml. Phytochemical investigation shows presence of active components such as tannins and glycosides .Conclusion: The results obtained from this study specify that fruit of Garcinia indica is a potential source of Antioxidants and thus could prevent many radical diseases and could be used as neutraceutical