In vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and alkaloid fraction of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. leaves

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In the present work, phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. leaves were carried out against various bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus. Chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts were prepared using the Soxhlet extraction method. Per cent yield was calculated for each extract. Phytochemical screening was carried out for all the extracts. Antibacterial activity of all three extracts and crude alkaloid fraction of P. juliflora leaves were carried out using disc diffusion assay. Standard antibacterial discs were used to compare the antibacterial activity of the extracts. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of extract after removal of chlorophyll was a lso evaluated. Aqueous extract showed the highest extractability. All the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids. Aqueous extract and crude alkaloid fraction of P. juliflora leaves showed the highest in vitro antibacterial activity against all the bacteria as compared to chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts. Methanol extract of P. juliflora leaves showed significantly higher antibacterial activity against all the bacteria as compared to extract without removal of chlorophyll. Results showed that alkaloids present in the P. juliflora leaves had shown antibacterial activity. Thus, P. juliflora leaves can be a good source of antibacterial phytochemicals. Further study related to structural identification may be helpful to explore the potential of the active phytochemicals present in the P. juliflora leaves.