Human Pathogen

Gomphrena serrata L. (Amaranthaceae) is a medicinally important plant used in India since long. The present investigation was carried out in order to assess the antibacterial property of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Gomphrena serrata L. on the common human pathogens viz. Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion assay. The antibacterial activity of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was also carried out. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, protein, carbohydrate, and terpenoids in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Both the extracts showed similar activities against all four strains of bacteria. Nanoparticle solution showed significant activity against Escherichia coli with an inhibition zone of 11mm. Maximum zone of inhibition was exhibited by the standard antibiotic drug Amoxycillin. Further characterisation and screening are essential for finding out the actual principle behind the antibacterial property.