Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial potential of Chenopodium quinoa extract against pathogenic bacterial strains

Pathogenic diseases and complications associated with them are one of the most prevailing problems around the world. Excessive use of synthetic antibiotic drugs for the treatment of microbial diseases leads to multi-drug resistance in many pathogenic bacteria. Such problem leads to herbal treatment involving medicinal plants. The present study was designed to evaluate the phytochemistry and antimicrobial potential of Chenopodium quinoa . Two varieties depending upon the phenotype of plant material were selected and methanolic extract of leaves and seeds was prepared by using two different extraction techniques. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content assays were done following folin-ciocalteu (FC) and colorimetric protocol, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The results of phytochemical analysis showed that leaves and seeds extract of quinoa plant has high TPC with a maximum value of 181.4 ± 1.54 (mgGAE/1g extract) and TFC with a maximum range of 42.15 ± 1.21 (mg QE/1 g extract). The antimicrobial activity showed a maximum inhibition zone against S. aureus in the range of 12–20 nm and that against E. coli as 10–18 nm. Ampicillin, a standard antibiotic drug was used as a positive control. In conclusion, Chenopodium quinoa can be used as a potential source of an antimicrobial drug rich in phytochemicals.