Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities of Leaves of Bombax ceiba L.

Bombax ceiba L. is a multi-purpose and fast-growing tree belonging to family Bombacaceae. It has astringent, diuretic, anti-diarrheal, etc. properties and also finds its uses in pharmacognosy. The leaves of B. ceiba L. have different phytochemicals like alkaloids, phenols, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, etc. The leaves were used for phytochemical evaluation and its response against microbes. The extract for qualitative phytochemical analysis, prepared in distilled water, was done to test the existence of different phytochemicals like alkaloids, phenols, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, etc. present in the leaves. Disc-diffusion method was employed to test the antimicrobial activity in different solvents like Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Ethanol and Water. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed maximum zone of inhibition i.e. 25.33mm in the Ethanol extract, and minimum zone of inhibition was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa of 6.33mm in DMSO. These findings can help to understand the significance of the plant for preparation of medicine for some specific disease and can also be used to determine the effectiveness of the plant against certain micro-organisms.