Phytochemical Measurements and Anti-microbial Evaluation of Neem Seed Extract

Abstract

Background: The plants can introduce a wide range of phytochemical components which are considered as secondary metabolites. As antioxidants, phytochemicals prevent cell damages which are usually caused by free radicals especially those which are associated with heart disease and cancer. Neem seed has high potential of phytochemicals which is used as traditional medicinal. This study aimed to evaluate bioactive and phytochemical extract of Neem seed. Methods: The antimicrobial activities and bioactive compounds of Neem seed extracted with distilled water were investigated in this study. Bioactive components of Neem seed were examined by agar well diffusion method. Results: Tannins, quinones and phenols were the highest phytochemical in Neem seed bioactive extract. Anthocyanin, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides were in medium levels. Also, alkaloids and flavonoids were in low level. At the lowest concentration of bioactive (10 mg/mL), Bacillus subtilis (G+) was the best controllable compared to others. The optimum concentration of the selected pathogenic species was 55 mg/mL at which the Salmonella typhimurium (G-) was highly controllable. Staphylococcus aureus (G+), Bacillus subtilis (G+), and Escherichia coli (G-) were 40 mm, 38 mm and 34 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Tannin and phenol were the highest phytochemical concentration in the Neem seed. In general the Neem seed extract seems to be antioxidants and antimicrobials with effective control area.