Phytochemical screening and comparative bioefficacy assessment of Artocarpus altilis leaf extracts for antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) leaf extracts in different solvent media (petroleum ether, methanol, and ethyl acetate) were assessed for antimicrobial activity. Breadfruit leaf extracts have been reported to have different phytoconstituents. The effect of leaf extracts in different solvent media on pathogenic organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus faecalis was studied by disc diffusion assay and MIC (minimal inhibitory concentrations) values were investigated. Phytochemical compounds like steroids, phytosterols, gums and resins were found to be present in leaf extracts with different extraction media. Phenols and terpenoids were detected in ethyl acetate and methanol leaf extracts. Flavonoids were present in the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate leaf extracts, whereas tannins were detected only in the methanol leaf extract. Maximum zone of inhibition was observed for Strep. mutans, E. faecalis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa by using 50 μl of ethyl acetate and methanol leaf extracts, 20 μl of petroleum ether leaf extract, 25 μl of petroleum ether leaf extract, and 50 μl of methanol leaf extract, respectively. The MIC values were reported in between 0.3 and 0.6 mg/ml corresponding to variations in different solvent media used for leaf extracts against four different pathogenic bacteria.