Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties and Phytochemical Profile of Selected Mangrove Plants from Bhitarkanika, India

Different solvent extacts of Mangrove plants (Avicennia alba, Avicennia marina, Phoenix paludosa and Acanthus ilicifolius) from Bhitarkanika were evaluated for their antibacterial properties and phytochemical constituents. The phytochemicals profiling showed that the plants are rich source of secondary metabolites like saponin (6-14.0 %), tannin (2.22-.45 %) and phenol (1.07-1.82 %) etc. Among the mineral content, carbohydrate (10.46 %), nitrogen (1.79 %) and potassium dioxide (1.068 %) tops the table. Selective screening and evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the different plant extracts (acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous) showed that the true mangroves species of A. alba and A. marina exhibits potent antibacterial properties against the nine human pathogens whereas the mangrove associated species of P. paludosa and A. ilicifolius though contains high level of minerals and vitamins are not a reliable antimicrobial source. The phytochemicals present in the plant extracts may contribute to their uses as a source of antimicrobial drugs / agent in near future.