Asian Journal of Research In Chemistry

  • Year: 2012
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 6

Qualitative and Pharmacological Evaluation of Root Extracts of Withania somnifera against Human and Plant Pathogens

  • Author:
  • Premlata Singariya1,, Padma Kumar1, Krishan Kumar Mourya2
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 733 to 737

1Dr. D.S. Kothari Post Doctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Tissue Culture and Secondary Metabolites, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302004

2Veterinary Officer and In-Charge, IstGr., Govt. Veterinary Hospital, Pahari (Bharatpur) Rajasthan

*Corresponding Author E-mail: premlatasingariya@gmail.com

Online published on 7 February, 2013.

Abstract

The aim of present study is to investigate the antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Withania somnifera, in order to use it as a possible source for new antimicrobial substances against important human and plant pathogens.

The roots of Withania somnifera were evaluated against medically important bacteria viz. Proteus merabilis, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Agerobacterium tumefaciens (plant pathogen) and one fungi Aspergillus niger.

The dried and powdered roots of W. somnifera were successively extracted with a series of non polar to polar solvents using soxhlet assembly. The antimicrobial assay was done by both disc diffusion and serial dilution methods.

Glacial acetic acid extract and benzene extract of W. somnifera show highest activity against A. tumefaciens (plant pathogen) to varying degrees, by most of the extracts.

Keywords

Agerobacterium tumefaciens, antibacterial, antifungal, Aspergillus niger, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Proteus merabilis