Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial activity conferring component(s) from seeds of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

Abstract

Momordica charantia, a commonly used vegetable in Pakistan, has been known for its medicinal importance to cure diabetes but its antimicrobial activity has not been explored yet. Present study was designed to investigate antimicrobial activity of M. charantia seed extracts against mammalian and poultry pathogens. Buffered saline, ethanol, n-hexane, petroleum ether based seed extracts of M. charantia were prepared to screen anti-microbial activity by disc diffusion method. The aqueous seed extract showed highest antimicrobial activity againstPasteurella multocida while ethanol, n-hexane and petroleum ether extracts were effective against Staphylococcus aureus. The protein/peptides were isolated by 80% ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration chromatographyand separated on SDS-PAGE. The electrophoretic profile of dialyzed seed extracts showed seven bands of peptide/protein bands ranging from ~9 to ~54 kDa. The protein/peptides seed extract was efficient against S. aureusand Salmonella typhi with the maximum zone of inhibition (1 cm). All results were compared with chloramphenicol, an antibiotic with highest antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. Key words: Bitter gourd, antimicrobial peptides, chromatography.