ASSESSMENT OF SCREENING ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PONGAMIA PINNATA LEAF AGAINST BACTERIAL SPECIES: IN VITRO APPROACH

Background: Antibiotic resistance has become a major global health concern, necessitating the search for alternative therapeutic agents. Pongamia pinnata, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, is known for its antimicrobial properties. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Pongamia pinnata leaf extract against bacterial strains, specifically Streptococcus and Streptomyces species, using an in vitro approach. Methods: The leaves were collected, shade-dried, and extracted using the Soxhlet extraction method with ethanol as the solvent. Phytochemical screening was performed, and antibacterial potential was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds. The antibacterial efficacy was concentration-dependent, with the highest inhibition observed at 300 mg/ml. Conclusion: This study validates the traditional use of Pongamia pinnata and suggests its potential as a natural antibacterial agent.