Evaluation of anti-microbial activity of leaf and bark extracts of Murraya koenigii (curry leaves)

Abstract

Aim of the study is to evaluate the Anti-Microbial activity of Murraya Koenigii. It is an aromatic more or less deciduous shrub or a small tree. It shares the aromatic nature. It is a plant which has important uses in traditional system of medicine. Leaves are used internally in dysentery also checking vomiting. Steam distillate of the leaves can be used as stomachic & purgative and bark powder is used as tonic, stomachic, & carminative. In the present study preliminary phytochemical screening was performed for Ethanolic leaf and bark extracts and results showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins & saponins. These extracts were screened for their anti-microbial activity against the pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes & Lactobacillus by agar cup-plate method. The pattern of inhibition varied with both the extracts and the microorganism tested. Among these extracts, Ethanolic bark extract showed the significant anti-bacterial activity against most tested microbes. The most susceptible micro-organism was Staphylococcus aureus followed by Proteus vulgaris and Enterobacter aerogenes.