Author(s): Kavitha KR, Jyothsna BS and Keshamma E

Abstract: In the present study we aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of solvent extracts and essential oil of fruits of Cipadessa baccifera (Roth.) Miq. The plant samples for investigation were collected from Thavarekere and Savandurga, Magadi Taluk, Bengaluru Rural district, and outskirts of Bengaluru, and identification was authenticated by National Ayurveda and Dietetics Research Institute, Bangalore; vide voucher specimen number, RRCBI-8971.The dried fruit samples were pulverized in an electric blender and the powdered material was stored in air tight containers for further analyses. The fruit samples were subjected to sequential extraction using Soxhlet apparatus, and extracted exhaustively in organic solvents such as, hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. The essential oil from fruit sample was extracted in Clevenger apparatus. The sequential extracts and essential oil of fruits of C. baccifera (Roth) Miq. were subjected to evaluation of antimicrobial activity against diarrhoea, skin, wound and oral infections causing selected pathogens, including 07 Gram positive, 06 Gram negative bacteria and 06 fungal strains. Results delineated both the essential oil and crude extracts of fruits of C. baccifera showed significant anti-bacterial potential against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas cepacia, Shigella flexneri, Streptococcus gordonii and Propionibacterium acnes. Significant anti-fungal activity of the oil was observed against Candida glabrata, while the crude extracts were effective against Candida albicans. The broad spectrum of anti-bacterial activity of fruits of C. baccifera discovered in our study contributes scientific validity for its usage in treatment of dysentery, skin disorders and wound healing in traditional medicines.