Qualitative estimation of bioactive compounds and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of betel (Piper betle L.) varieties collected from the different locations of Odisha

Manoj K Kar, P. Mahanti, Sanjeet Kumar and PK Jena

1. Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack - 753 003 2. Department of Environment and Climate Change, Thiruvananthpuram - 695024

ABSTRACT

Since ancient days men have been using the biological resources for the food and medicines. The uses of plants are more common in traditional therapeutic practices. This is probably due to the presence of certain secondary metabolites or bioactive compounds in plants and /or their products. In the present days, synthetic medicines are more frequently used to cure microbial infections than the traditional medicines from natural sources. The inappropriate use of these medicines and antibiotics frequently results in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Therefore, the need of the day is to screen new sources of bioactive compounds. Piper betle L. (betel) leaf is a common chewing materials in most part of Odisha. It is said to have medicinal values too. Keeping this in view, an attempt has been made to screen the possible bioactive compounds through qualitative screening and to asses the ant-microbial potential of selected varieties of betel (Vishnupuri, Desawari, Ghajipur, Desipaan and Jaleswar) leaf extracts (Ethanol, acetone, methanol and aqueous). In order to study the antimicrobial efficacy, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against five bacterial strains (Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Shigella flexnerii, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae) has been estimated and compared. The results revealed that leaf extracts of the experimental betel varieties contain saponin, tannin, flavonoids, phenolics and terpenoids. It was further observed that the methanol and acetone extracts of the leaves were more efficient and had more inhibitory effects against S. pyogenes, which was evident from the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. The results are encouraging and supportive of using this chewing leaves against bacterial infections. The study further suggests to extract and identify the specific components responsible and use of the same for formulation of new antimicrobial drugs.

Keywords: Bioactive compounds, antimicrobial activity, betel variety, minimum inhibition concentration