Isolation and identification of antibacterial compound from the leaves of Cassia auriculata

P.K. Senthilkumar, D. Reetha

Department of Microbiology, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu (India)

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• Pharmacology

Objectives: Antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants and plant parts such as flowers, roots, fruits, seeds and oils are being used to cure some chronic and acute diseases throughout the world. In the present study, an attempt has been made to isolate and identify the antibacterial compound present in the leaves of the Cassia auriculata.

Materials and Methods: A preliminary screening of antibacterial activity was carried out with fine different plant extracts viz., Aegle marmelos, Chloris Virgata, Clausena anisata, Feronia limonia and Cassia auriculata against different human pathogenic bacteriae such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae at different concentrations.

Results and Conclusions: Based on the results, the plant Cassia auriculata was selected as the efficient plant, which shows antibacterial activity against the tested organisms. Further compound responsible for its antibacterial activity was isolated and identified by IR spectrum, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and Mass spectrum studies, as oleanolic acid, which has the molecular formula of C30H48O3.

Corresponding Author: Palanisamy Kandasamy Senthilkumar, MD; e-mail: mailtopks@yahoo.com