Study on distribution, propagation, Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of an endemic liana Beaumontia jerdoniana Wight

This study investigated in levels both the field and laboratory during the period of 2006 to 2014. Detailed distribution, phenology, taxonomy and propagules of the plant collected from natural population and further research carried out from the plants growing in RET plant conservatory of M. S. Swaminathan Botanic Garden. The screening of phytochemical constituents, proximate analysis, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties of methanolic leaf extracts of Beaumontia jerdoniana Wight were done and results tabulated here. The results of this study indicate that leaf extracts of B. jerdoniana exhibits antioxidant, anti-microbial activities which explain its use in animal nutrition and human medicine. Among the thirteen qualitative phytochemical tests conducted nine showed presence and four showed absence. Quantitative determination of ten phytochemicals were conducted and found that the plant contain good amount of tested phytochemicals in which Flavonoids ranked highest with 0.105±0.004mg/ml followed by Alkaloids 0.94±0.03mg/ml. Proximate nutritional composition also was tested and found that quantity of Carbohydrates were highest with 0.133±0.004mg/ml while other constituents like protein and ash composition also present in various quantities. The antimicrobial activity against selected five microorganisms were tested and found that the extract showed highest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus followed by Escherchiacoli and Kebsiella pneumonia. The study showed the importance of man assisted conservation for this important plant where in situ and ex-situ conservation strategies have to be adopted.