Phytochemical and Antimicrobial analysis of the crude extract, petroleum ether and chloroform fractions of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn Whole Plant

The whole plant of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn family Euphorbiaceae, was screened for secondary metabolites and evaluated for its antimicrobial activities using standard procedures. The antibacterial activities of the methanol extract, pet ether, chloroform and methanol: water fractions were tested on gram negative and gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus albus, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumonae) while the antifungal activity of the extract and fractions were tested on Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides and saponins in the whole plant of E. heterophylla. The active constituents present in the whole plant of E. heterophylla against the test organisms are of varying polarities with the crude extract showing significant activity against Staph albus, Proteus mirabilis, E. coli, Salmonella typhi and Kleb. pneumonae at all the doses tested and no effect on Staph. aureus, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans.