Borassus flabellifer Seed Coat: An In Vitro Exploration of its Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties with Preliminary Phytochemical Screening.

This study focuses on the analysis of phytochemical constituents, antibacterial activity, and antifungal activity of ethanolic extract isolated from the seed coat of Borassus flabellifer. The ethanolic extract of Borassus flabellifer seed coat was prepared by cold extraction technique using sterile filter paper. The extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis preliminarily. Antibacterial activity against gram-positive strains of Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus mutans, gram-negative strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi, and antifungal activity against strains of Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus were assessed using agar well diffusion method by observing the diameter of zone of inhibition. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of Borassus flabellifer seed coat revealed the presence of phytoconstituents like tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenol. It was found to have exhibited good antibacterial effect against gram-positive strains of Bacillus cereus (14-21 mm) and Streptococcus mutans (10-14 mm) at all concentrations but not exceeding standard antibiotic (16-26 mm) and also exhibited average antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12-16 mm) but ineffective against Salmonella typhi. There was limited antifungal activity against Candida albicans (14 mm) and nil antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. This study concludes that the seed coat of Borassus flabellifer has significant antibacterial activity against several human pathogens. The phytochemicals present are positively associated with antimicrobial properties. Hence, it can be used for treating a variety of infectious conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]