Phytochemical screening, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of phytochemical constituents and anti-bacterial activity of Aerva lanata (L.) leaves

The present study is aimed to determine the phytochemical screening and anti-bacterial activity of the extracts (acetone, ethyl acetate and ethanol) of medicinal plant, Aerva lanata leaves against bacterial strains. Acetone, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of A. lanata leaves were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. These extracts of A. lanata leaves were checked for their anti-bacterial activity by well diffusion, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) techniques against bacterial strains. Preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of phytochemical constituents of A. lanata leaves were performed. Preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts of A. lanata revealed the presence of alkaloids, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, quinone, terpenes and coumarins. Among the three different extracts tested, acetone extract of A. lanata leaves showed maximum anti-bacterial activity. The bioactive components of acetone fraction of A. lanata leaves were evaluated by GC-MS analysis which showed the presence of sixteen chemical compounds. The extracts of A. lanata leaves have a broad spectrum of anti-bacterial activity and support the traditional use of these plants as medicines. Key words: Aerva lanata, phytochemical screening, anti-bacterial activity, gas chromatography- mass spectrometry, minimal inhibitory concentration index.