Abstract

Shanu Sharma*, Shovan Meher, Shubham Prasad Tiwari, Shubha Bhadran

Objective: The present study was undertaken with a aim to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the various parts of Pongamia pinnata. The parts of the plant selected for the study were flowers, bark, seeds and leaves. Methods: All the selected plant parts were shed dried, turned into powder form and were subjected to soxhlet apparatus for the extraction of bioactive compounds using methanol as a solvent. The extracts in various concentrations were further employed to check their antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogens by well diffusion method. Along with this the phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts was also carried out. Results: The results showed that all the plant parts used in study showed antibacterial activity, among all the seeds and leaves extract showed the maximum zone of inhibition in most of the bacterial pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae (26 mm), Escherichia coli (25 mm) and Salmonella typhi (25 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (24 mm) at a concentration of 400 μg/ml. The flower and bark extracts can be used as an substitute source of antibacterial agent against bacterial pathogens. Conclusion: The plant parts used in the study showed a potential antibacterial activity against pathogens, hence it can be used as a natural source of antibiotics. Further studies are needed to characterize the active bioactive compounds which are highly crucial for drug development.