Evaluation of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea for antimicrobial activity

Abstract

In the recent years, there has been an emerge and spread of infectious diseases and also developing resistance to the antibiotics, so there is a great concern to find potentially effective, safer natural alternative for the infectious diseases. The present study was focused on the antimicrobial activity of ethanol and aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea root. The in-vitro antimicrobial study was carried out against bateriea viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungus viz. Aspergilus niger, Candida albicans by the cup-plate method. The extracts of Clitoria ternatea roots were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for detection of chemical constituents present in them. Preliminary phytochemical screening study revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, phenol and flavonoids. The highest potential was observed in the ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea roots. This study suggested that solvent polarity determined the phenol and flavonoid content significantly, hence affecting the antimicrobial activity. This plant extract which proved to be potentially effective can be used as a natural alternative for preventives to control infectious diseases causing due to the tested microorganisms.