GC-MS Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Aerial Parts of Quisqualis indica Plant Extracts

Background: Bacteria is an important group of human pathogens that causes various types of diseases. Plants are the traditional sources for many chemicals used as pharmaceutical biochemicals, fragrances, food colors and flavors in different countries especially in India. Quisqualis indica Linn. belongs to a family Combretaceae which is commonly known as Rangoon creeper has great medicinal values. Objective: To analyze the chemical constituents present in different solvent extracts of Q. indica using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and evaluation of their antibacterial activities against human pathogens. Method: The dried aerial part of plant was extracted using three solvents like methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane at room temperature for 6 hours separately and antibacterial activity was carried out by broth dilution method. Results: 15, 12 and 18 compounds were confirmed by GC-MS qualitatively in methanol, ethylacetate and hexane extracts respectively. All extracts showed significant activity against four bacteria: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pneumonia which were comparable with ampicillin drug taken as positive control. Conclusion: The antibacterial result indicates that the aerial parts of plant have antibacterial activities due to presence of various phytochemical constituents. All the major components confirmed by GC-MS from different extract are biologically active molecule which indicates that the plant might have some medicinal properties.