Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities in the Leaf Extracts of Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus)

The different solvent extracts of the leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The ethyl acetate extract of the leaves which had the highest polyphenolic content showed an appreciable DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as total antioxidant capacity as compared with extracts obtained using hexane, acetone, methanol, hydroalcohol and freeze dried form. The acetone extract of the leaves which had the second highest polyphenolic content showed appreciable antibacterial activity with least MIC values against the tested foodborne pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Yersinia enterocolitica. The findings indicated the potentiality of ethyl acetate and acetone extract of the leaves of Indian borage for use as biopreservatives as they showed high antioxidant and antibacterial activities.