Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of flavonoids of Mimusops elengi L.

Objective: The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using flavonoid extract of leaf; stem; bark and fruit of Mimusops elengi L.
Methodology: The flavonoids were extracted using cold extraction method. Antimicrobial activity of free and bound flavonoid extract was evaluated by disc diffusion assay against bacterial strains viz. Escherichia coli; Bacillus subtilis; Pseudomonas putida. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was evaluated through micro broth dilution method.
Results: Free flavonoid plant part extract of M. elengi L. exhibited significant activity against Escherichia coli; Bacillus subtilis and show no activity against Pseudomonas putida. Free flavonoid extract of bark of plant showed maximum inhibitory activity (DIZ = 14.0 + 1.00 mm) at 50mg/ml against Escherichia coli with MIC of 12.5 mg/ml. Bound flavonoid plant part extract of M. elengi L. exhibited significant activity against Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas putida with no activity against Bacillus subtilis. Bound flavonoid extracts of leaf significantly showed maximum antibacterial activity (DIZ =21.0 + 1.00 mm) at 50mg/ml against Escherichia coli with MIC of 6.25 mg/ml. Bound flavonoid extracts of bark also showed maximum antibacterial activity (DIZ =19.33 + 1.15 mm) at 50mg/ml against Pseudomonas putida with MIC of 6.25 mg/ml.
Conclusion: Results obtained advocates that use of plant parts especially leaf and bark of the selected plant could be used as natural antimicrobial agent against tested microorganism and upcoming resistant pathogens.