Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of shade dried and sun-dried Aerva lanata (L.) juss. ex schult.

Abstract

Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. is an important medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of several human ailments in the southern part of India including as a source of Pashana Bheda (Stone Breaker). The plant materials were extracted in different solvent extracts and analyzed to know the composition of minerals, secondary metabolites and the efficacy of solvent extracts against pathogenic bacteria and Candida species. Ethyl acetate extract of sun-dried plant inhibited the growth of S. typhie and K. pneumoniae. The anticandidal activity displayed in ethyl acetate and methanol extracts was very effective against C. glabrata, C. albicans and C. haemulonii respectively. A maximum of 11.834 ppm calcium content was recorded, followed by potassium (6.87 ppm) and magnesium (6.5 ppm). Similarly, amongst the secondary metabolites, saponins (1.987 mg/g) content was maximum, followed by flavonoids (1.85 mg/g) and sterol (0.85 mg/g) in sundried plant material. In shade dried plant material, phenol content was more (1.14 mg/g). No significant difference was observed in the occurrence of secondary metabolites, minerals, and antimicrobial activity between sundried and shade dried plant materials.