Estimation Of Phytochemicals, Inorganic Profile And Antimicrobial Activity Of Taxus Baccata Shoots

The present study was designed to investigate various extracts of Taxus baccata shoots for photochemical screening, antimicrobial activities and heavy metal analysis. Various extracts prepared from Taxus baccata shoots with n-hexane, dichlromethane, Iso-butanol, water and crude extract were tested for their antimicrobial potential. These extract were tested against ten microorganism including six gram-negative bacterial strains i.e. Escherichia coil, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmoneella typhi, Kleibsiella pneumoniae, Erwinia carotovora, Agrobacterium tumifaciens, three gram-positive bacterial strains viz Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus atropheous and a fungal strain viz Candida albicans. Isobutanol extract showed marked antimicrobial potential against Bacillus atropheous. Phytochemical potential of extract was also evaluated by carrying out qualitative and quantitative analysis as well as ash value content. The qualitative tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. However tannins were not found. The quantitative tests detected alkaloids (0.2%) and saponins (4.2%). The ash value was found to be 2.68%. Heavy metal analysis was carried out to determine (Cd), (Mn), (Pb), (Cr), (Sb), (Na), (K), (Ca), (Cu) and (Fe). The metallic screening results showed the presence of Ca and K as major metallic content yielding 10021 and 8790.4 mg/kg respectively as compared to the rest of the nutrients, while Cd and Pb were not detected. The reported antimicrobial potential, phytochemicals screening and metal contents found in the samples of Taxus baccata shoots indicate that the plant has great pharmacological significance.