Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical, proximate composition of leaf and stem of Reinwardtia indica Dumort: A comparative study

Abstract

Reinwardtia indica Dumort as evaluated for its antimicrobial potential, qualitative and quantitative estimation of phytochemicals, and proximate composition analysis by using standard methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method against four bacterial strains and two fungal strains. Ethanol and chloroform extract of the leaf and the stem are highly active against all the strains. This might be due to the presence of different phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides. The result of the proximate composition showed that the stem contained higher values of crude proteins, crude lipids, carbohydrates, and nutritive energy. The stem bark was richer in carbohydrates than the leaves. From the results, it can be concluded that R. indica may be a good source of energy, is rich in phytochemicals, and have antimicrobial nature, thus, may be useful in various pharmaceutical formulations.