Author(s): Pinkie Cherian and D Sheela

Abstract: Plant defensive metabolite Alkaloid were screened for analyzing their antimicrobial property. The present study quantified the alkaloids present in selected members of tribe Amarantheae. Maximum percentage of alkaloids are shown by Amaranthus tricolor L., Aamaranthus viridis L. and Amaranthus caudatus L. (8- 8.8%) and the least were shown by Amaranthus spinosus L. and Amaranthus dubius Mart. (5.8-6%). Antibacterial and antifungal studies were carried out using the precipitated alkaloid, which showed zone of inhibition ranges from 6 to 11mm. Thus the present study showed that isolated alkaloids can show antimicrobial activity and used for the formulation of drugs or antiseptics.