Evaluation of Ethanolic Extracts of in Vitro Grown Bauhinia Variegata L. for Antibacterial Activities

Nodal segments from six years old plants of Bauhinia variegata L. were cultured on Murashige and Skoogs (MS) medium supplemented with different concentration and combinations of BAP and IBA. Explants culture in MS basal medium supplemented with 5mg/1 BAP showed highest rate of shoot multiplication. When in vitro shoots were inoculated on the MS basal medium supplemented with IBA 2mg/l, profussed rooting was observed. Bauhinia variegata, commonly known as Kachnar is considered as medicinal plant in Nepal and India. The ethanolic extract of this plant was found to have antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (MTCC8), E coli (MTCC1), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC98), Salmonella typhi (MTCC737). The largest zone of inhibition (16 mm) was found against B. subtilis. The extract was found to be more effective against grampositive than gram-negative bacteria.