Abstract

Trianthema decandra L. root and root callus extracts of different solvents viz.,petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol were tested against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and also against Fusarium spp. Root callus extract of chloroform and ethanol showed significant activity against  Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus. Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermis and also against the other spp. of Gram negative bacteria viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebseilla pneumonia, Alcaligens faecalis, Proteus vulgaris Enterobacter aerogenes,Salmonella typhi, Salmonella tyhimurium, Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica  with a MIC of 3.12 to 12.50 μg/ml when compared to root extract of chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol of Trianthema decandra. Root callus extract of chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol showed activity against Fusarium verticilliodes, F. anthophilum, F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum with a lowest MIC of 3.12 μg/ml when compared to root extract of Trianthema decandra. The result showsthat antibacterial and antifungal activity was more in root callus extract than root extract.

Key words: Trianthema decandra, antibacterial and antifungal activity, petroleum ether, root callus extracts.