Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Methanolic Extracts of Ripe and Unripe Peels of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of ripe and unripe peels of mango (Mangifera indica L.) against pathogenic bacterial strains.

Methodology: Both ripe and unripe mango peels were collected separately, air-dried and powdered. Crude methanolic extracts of ripe and unripe mango peels were analyzed for the phytochemical constituents. Different concentrations (100, 200 and 400 mg/ml) of methanolic extracts of the mango peels were prepared using 30% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method using seven bacterial species: three reference strains- Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212); and four food-borne pathogens- Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus.

Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds in both ripe and unripe mango peels extracts while glycosides was not detected in the extracts. Both peel extracts exhibited potent antibacterial activities against all the tested pathogenic bacteria and this inhibitory effect increased with the increasing concentrations of the extracts.

Conclusion: The present study has revealed that methanolic extract of ripe and unripe mango peels contains phytochemical constituents and possess antibacterial activity against the tested pathogenic bacterial strains. Hence, mango peel extracts can be utilized as an alternative antibacterial agent in the treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria.