Identification of phytochemicals and alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus and study of their antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Phytochemical analysis of two variants of Catharanthus roseus (Rosea and Alba) was done to know the presence of different secondary metabolites. Phytochemicals like Alkaloids, Saponins, Phenol and Tannins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Quinines, and Phytosterols were present in the plant extract. Presence of alkaloids like Vinblastine, Vincristine and Vindoline was confirmed by separating them on Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Antimicrobial and antifungal nature of this plant extract was also tested. Bacterium like Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to be inhibited by the plant extract effectively.