Phyto-pharmacognostical characterisation, residual analysis of unexplored high altitude Himalayan species <i>Iris kashmiriana</i> Baker rhizome and antimicrobial potential of essential oil

There is growing demand for plant-derived essential oils as alternative antimicrobial agents to synthetic drugs. The study investigated the phyto-pharmacognostic properties and safety of <i>Iris kashmiriana</i> Baker's rhizome, including the isolation, characterisation, and antibacterial evaluation of its essential oil. Phyto-pharmacognostic characterisation, residual analyses were done by Pharmacopoeial guidelines. The essential oil, isolated through hydro-distillation, was analysed using GC-MS for composition and tested for antimicrobial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> through MIC and MBC assays. Study established a blueprint for identification of the rhizome and residual analyses ensured the safety. The isolated oil (yield 1.03%, w/w) which was found to be contained a few major bioactive terpenoids, alcohol, esters showed antibacterial activity on both the strains with greater effect on Gram positive strain. The study confirmed the identity, purity, safety, and efficacy of the plant rhizome, paving the way for its use as moderately effective antimicrobial agent in phyto-pharmaceuticals.