Phytochemical investigation and antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia bonduc (linn) Roxb seeds

The aim of the study was to investigate phytochemical properties, antimicrobial activity and trace metal concentrations of Caesalpinia bonducella. The phytochemical screening of the extracts of leaves of C. bonducella revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as Steroid, Triterpenoids, Reducing Sugar(A), Reducing Sugar(B), Sugars, Flavonoids, Saponin, Amino acids with absence of Alkaloids, Phenolic Compounds, Catachins, Tannins, Anthroquinones. The ethanol solvent was used for extraction and was used to screen the antimicrobial activity of C. bonducella leaves against certain pathogens by disc diffusion method. In the antimicrobial study, in bacteria, the test sample was most effective against Escherichia coli NCIM 2931 (B2) while smaller effect was noticed from Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 5021 (B3). In fungi, this was effective against Epidermophyton floccosum var. nigricans MTCC 613 (F2) whereas smaller effect was observed in Candida glabrata MTCC 3984 (F1). All the microbial strains depict higher sensitivity to the higher concentration (1.2 mg / disc) for the test sample when compared to the positive control except bacterial strains such as Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2920 (B1) and Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 5021 (B3). The result was supported the view that C. bonducella is a potent antimicrobial agent compared with the conventional antibiotic. The concentrations of trace metals in plants were not cross the standard level. Hence, it is signified that Aloe vera plant extract is safe to be used as an antimicrobial agent.