EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF COCOS NUCIFERA EMBRYO

Aim: Antimicrobials are substances used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. This activity plays a crucial role in preventing and controlling infections, ensuring public health, and preserving the quality and safety of pharmaceutical and food products. The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) belongs to Arecaceae family and biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins etc. which are essential for antimicrobial activity. Cocos nucifera embryo has been widely used in traditional treatments for numerous human diseases in many parts of the world of various ailments, including allergic reactions, headaches, dizziness, liver damage, Anaemia, Anxiety etc. However, no reports are published till today regarding embryo of cocous nucifera for In-vitro antimicrobial activity. Hence presence study is an attempt to explore its antimicrobial potency and to find phytochemical constituents. Methods and materials: The In-vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by using Broth micro dilution method. Results: Phytochemical investigation of Cocos nucifera embryo revealed that ethanolic extract contains flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins etc. The In-vitro results of Broth micro dilution method showed significant antimicrobial activity results revealed that the standard drug Ampicillin exhibited strong activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.19 mg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and 25 mg/ml against Escherichia coli. In comparison, the Cocos nucifera ethanol extract showed relatively moderate antimicrobial activity, with an MIC of 15 µl/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and 40 µl/ml against Escherichia coli. These findings indicate that Ampicillin is more potent, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the bioactive compounds in the plant extract could be developed for therapeutic applications.