Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Successive Series of Solanum xanthocarpum

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of Solanum xanthocarpum against bacteria and fungus was evaluated. Plant extracts of S. xanthocarpum were prepared in distilled water and in organic solvents, petroleum ether, chloroform, benzene, ethyl acetate and ethanol. Disc diffusion method technique was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of various extracts against Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes, Aspergillus niger , Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum. The diameter of zone of inhibition was taken as an indicator of antimicrobial effect. Except aqueous extracts of S. xanthocarpum, extracts prepared in organic solvents showed antimicrobial activity against the test organisms. Methanol extract showed the best activity against all test microorganisms than other solvent extracts. The maximum efficacy of methanol extract A4 (200mg concentration) was against Staphylococcus aureus (I.Z.-23mm) was screened. Thus, S. xanthocarpum could be considered as a potential source of natural antimicrobials.