Antimicrobial & Phytochemical Studies Of Amchur (Dried Pulp Of Unripe Mangifera Indica) Extract On Some Food Borne Bacteria

The antimicrobial activity of amchur (dried pulp of unripe Mangifera indica) extract (50% ethanol) was tested against ten bacterial strains (7 Gram-positive and 3 Gram-negative) & seven fungi by agar well diffusion assays. The crude extract exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity inhibiting both the groups of bacteria. The extract was most effective against Staphylococcus aureus (26.0mm). Bacillus mycoides was found to be the most sensitive, with the lowest MIC of 62.5mg/mL, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (125mg/mL each), whereas Micrococcus luteus was found to be the most resistant surviving up to 500mg/mL. However, the extract was found to be ineffective against majority of test fungal species. Only Alternaria sp. & Penicillium sp. was found to be partially sensitive to the extract. The phytochemical analysis of amchur extract revealed the presence of tannins & terpenes. This study shows the potential for replacement of synthetic preservatives by the use of natural extracts.