title: Antibacterial activity of various leaf extracts of Merremia emarginata.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of the aqueous, methanol and petroleum ether leaf extracts of Merremia emarginata (M. emarginata).
  
  
  METHODS
  The antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of M. emarginata were evaluated by agar well diffusion method against four selected bacterial species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of tannins, flavonoids, amino acids, starch, glycosides and carbohydrates in the different leaf extracts was established. The methanol extract was more effective against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli, whereas aqueous extract was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : The results in the present study suggest that M. emarginata leaf can be used in treating diseases caused by the tested organisms.
authors.affiliation: P.G. and Research Department of Zoology, Physiology Wing, Voorhees College, Vellore-632001(T.N.), India.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Elumalai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thirumalai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vinothkumar
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D027722:Convolvulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids; D000432:Methanol; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D014867:Water; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Aqueous extract; Merremia emarginata; Methanol extract