Isolation and identification of phytosterols from Anogeissus pendula (Edgew) and their antimicrobial potency

Abstract

Phytosterol are significant bioactive molecules present in plant cells. These are similar compounds like cholesterol in structure. The plants have many secondary metabolites in abundance. The pharmacological properties of plants have been attributed due to the presence of phytochemicals in the plant materials. Due to the presence of bio-active chemicals which are present in plants, the pharmacological properties are found in them. Anogeissus pendula (Edgew) grows in dry, hot regions of India occurring in the dry tropical forest and deciduous forest of Rajasthan. The present observation showed presence of three sterols namely β-sitosterol, Stigmasterol and Campesterol in the leaves and bark of this plant (respectively in mg/gdw is 1.02, 1.09 and 0.87 in leaves and in bark 0.49, 0.67 and 0.58). Phytosterols isolated from Anogeissus pendula showed antimicrobial potential against some pathogenic microbes. The GC-MS profile showed various compounds found in the plant. Leaves of Anogeissus pendula (Edgew) showed maximum antibacterial potential against Streptomyces grisveus (14 mm) while minimum were recorded against E. coli (7 mm) while bark of Anogeissus pendula (Edgew) showed resistance against all microbes tested.