ABSTRACT
Leaf extracts of Lawsonia inermis Linn. [Lythraceae] were screened for their antimicrobial activity against 11 human pathogenic bacteria [Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Sal. paratyphi, Shigella dysenteriae, Sh. sonnei, and Vibrio cholerae] and 6 fungal phytopathogens [Alternaria alternata, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum corchori, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium equiseti and Macrophomina phaseolina]. During preliminary screening, the chloroform soluble fraction of L. inermis was found active against all the bacterial test organisms. The antifungal activities of extracts were found non-potential. VLC analysis of chloroform fraction showed 10 groups [A to J] depending on TLC behavior [Rf. value]. Fraction C showed highest antibacterial activity [20-41 mm] against all the pathogens tested at a concentration of 1000 microg/disc. GC/MS analysis of fraction C characterizes 14 components representing 89.14% of the total fraction. The major components were Diisooctylphthalate, 3-Octadecane [E], Heptadecane, 2, 6-Dimethyl etc