Phytochemical Analysis of Cold Toluene Extracts of Piper nigrum and its Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity

A crystalline compound [{(1,5-(1,3)benzodioxol-5yl)-1-oxo-2,4pentadienyl}-piperidine] and few sesquiterpenes ( Caryophyllene, β–bisabolene, δ –Cadinene, Elemol, (-)Cedreanol, αEudesmol ) were obtained from the toluene extract of dried fruits of Piper nigrum. This is for the first time piperine has been extracted from the cold toluene extract of Piper nigrum along with few other sesquiterpenes. Piperine is an alkaloid found naturally in plants belonging to the pyridine group of piperaceae family, mainly responsible for the pungent taste of Piper nigrum where as the components isolated from its oil are meant for aroma. Structure of these compounds is examined and concluded by UV, IR, NMR and MS spectral analysis. The oil separated from toluene extract was analyzed by GC-MS spectroscopy. The components identified by GC-MS spectra, show that caryophyllene was present as major component and δ–Cadinene as minor component. The present study was aimed to extract the phytochemical compounds in toluene extract of Piper nigrum and to check the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the extracts.