Brine-Shrimp Lethality Bioassay of different extracts of the medicinal plant matricaria (chamomilla) flowers

The present study aimed to throw some light on phytochemical constituents of Matricaria (cammomile) flowers. The grinded flowers were extracted successively by petroleum ether (40-60°C), chloroform, 95% ethanol, and ethyl acetate; using soxhlet apparatus respectively. The extracts were concentrated under vacuum (rotatory evaporator).Phytochemical screening of matricaria flowers, were performed using standard methods, showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and anthraquinone. The 95% ethanolic crude extract was subjected to column chromatography and nine fractions were collected. Fractions 1-6 have the same Rf value, (using thin layer pre-coated silica gel (0.25cm). were combined and subjected to spectroscopic analysis; infrared spectra showed absorption at 1860, 1637 and 805 cm’ indicating the presence of c=o, c=c, and c-o groups respectively. Ultra violet absorption at 250-283nm assign for the presence of flavonoids, (lit. 250-280). Finally GC/MS spectra performed the presence flavonoids.Crude extracts (ethanol, methanol, petroleum ether, and chloroform) were investigated for antimicrobial activities against four strains of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sub tills, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and two fungi: Asperigillus niger, and Candida albican) with disc diffusion method, the diameter of growth inhibition zone ranged 15-22mm.The distilled essential oil (hydro distillation) of matricaria flowers was subjected to GC/MS, a Number of aliphatic compounds were detected e.g. 2, 3 heptadione and 3-hexa none, 2, 5 dimethyl.