Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of <em>Erigeron karvinskianus</em> DC

Abstract

Erigeron karvinskianus, a small herb, belonging to the family Asteraceae, was identified by the Botanical Survey of India, Shillong, Meghalaya. The plant parts such as stem, roots and leaves were dried, powdered and subjected to Soxhlet extraction with various solvents based on its polarity. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic and aqueous extract detected the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and tannins. The extracts were subject to antimicrobial assay (DPPH) against four micro-organisms, viz., E. Coli, S. Sureus, A. Niger and C. Albicans. The methanolic extracts of leaves exhibited significant antibacterial activity with zones of inhibition of 19.5mm (500 µg/µl) against E. coli (Gentamicin as positive control, 18.5 mm). The aqueous extract of the stem-roots showed effective antifungal activity with zones of inhibition measuring 10.5mm (500 µg/µl) against A. niger (Amphotericin B as positive control, 10.0 mm). The study proposes that E. karvinskianus can be considered as a potent plant-based antimicrobial agent.