ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT PARTS OF Ficus racemosa AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENS AND GC-MS ANALYSIS

The leaves, stem, bark and fruit samples of Ficus racemosa were collected from Arumparthapuram, Puducherry District. Tamil Nādu. The samples were processed. Powdered plant parts were individually extracted with solvents such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, Dimethyl sulfoxide and water. Antibacterial activity of the extract was done by disc diffusion method. The solvent extracts of plant parts were prepared and tested against MCC cultures such as Acinetobacter baumannii (MCC-2076), Pseudomonas otitidis (MCC-2509), Pseudomonas oleovorans (MCC-2566), Enterococcus faecalis (MCC-2041) and Bacillus cereus (MCC-2039). Antibiotic susceptibility testing of MCC cultures were carried out using 8 antibiotics. All the 5 MCC cultures exhibited antibiotic resistance towards the antibiotics used. Ficus racemosa fruit extract showed maximum activity against Pseudomonas oleovorans (21mm) and Pseudomonas otitidis (21mm). Ficus racemosa stem extract showed maximum activity against Bacillus cereus (13mm). Leaf extract showed maximum activity (8mm) against Pseudomonas otitidis (MCC 2509) and Pseudomonas oleovorans. Ficus racemosa bark extract showed maximum activity against Bacillus cereus (17mm). Among the 4 plant parts of Ficus racemosa analysed, the fruit extract showed highest inhibitory activity. GC-MS analysis was carried out for the Ficus racemosa fruit extract. The major phytochemicals were identified as Acetic acid, 2-Furancarboxaldehyde, Methane Sulfinylbis, 2, 5 anhydro-1-6-dideoxy hexo, 2-furancarboxaldehyde, cyclohexane, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one, and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid.The phytochemicals contribute the antimicrobial properties responsible for the therapeutic effect of plant part.