Preliminary Phytochemistry and Antimicrobial Properties of Baleria opaca

Abstract

The preliminary phytochemical studies of Baleria opaca (whole plant) extracts revealed the presence of saponnins, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids and anthraquinones, but reducing sugars and flavonoids were not detectedin the extracts. The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts effectively inhibited the growth of tested bacteria and fungi at different concentrations respectively. The methanol extract exhibited higher antibacterial properties than hexane and ethyl acetate extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (gram positive), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonellae typhii and Klebsiellae pneumonae (gram negative). All the extracts also exhibited significant antifungal properties on Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolon, penicillum notatum, Tricophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum at concentrations between 25 and 200 mg/mL.