Variations in phenolics, antioxidant and antifungal activities among different parts of selected medicinal plants

The extracts, produced by 80% methanol, from leaf, bark and seed of three medicinal plants namely neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), kiker (Acacia nilotica L.) and jaman (Eugenia jambolana L.), were assessed for their total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and antioxidant and antifungal activities. Appreciable quantities of TP and TF, ranging from 24.43-176.16 mg GAE/g DW and 16.33 to 41.92 mg CE/g DW, respectively, were established in different parts of the selected plants. Antiradical potential evaluated in terms of DPPH radical scavenging activity ranged from 34.02 to 71.54%, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, 60.16 to 76.53% while reducing power (2.5 to 10 mg/mL concentration) 0.55 to1.49. Antifungal activity of the extracts was examined against two fungal strains viz. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus using disc diffusion method and micro dilution broth susceptible assay. Among the three medicinal plants selected, the crude extract from neem leaves was found to be the most potent against the tested fungal strains as well as exhibited greater antioxidant activity (p<0.05). (author)