Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Fahrenheitia zeylanica (Thw.) Airy

• Published in: Science, technology and arts research Vol. 2; no. 4; p. 27
• Main Authors: Rakesh, K N, Junaid, Syed, Dileep, N, Vinayaka, K S, Kekuda, Prashith T R, Raghavendra, H L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nekemete Wollega University 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Euphorbiaceae
• ISSN: 2226-7522; 2305-3327

Fahrenheitia zeylanica Airy is a lofty evergreen tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. This present study was conducted to evaluate antibacterial and antioxidant activity of solvent extracts of leaves of F. zeylanica. The powdered leaf material was sequentially extracted using ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol based on polarity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau and Aluminium chloride colorimetric estimation method respectively. Antibacterial activity of solvent extracts was assessed by agar well diffusion method against a panel of nine bacteria. Antioxidant efficacy of solvent extracts was determined, by DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging and Ferric reducing assay. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of bark and chloroform extract of leaf contained high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Solvent extracts of bark were more effective in inhibiting test bacteria than leaf extracts. The plant can be used as a remedy for treatment of infectious diseases and oxidative stress due to free radical formation. Further, separation of bioactive compounds and determination of their biological activities are under progress.