In vitro Bioactivity of Halophytic Plant Heliotropium curassavicum L. against Selected Pathogens

Heliotropium curassavicum L. was screened for antimicrobial activity against some plant and human pathogens. Plant parts of H. curassavicum, were collected from mangrove habitats of Chollangi, near Kakinada, Plant parts are dried and extracts were obtained successfully with hexane, chloroform, methanol and water, by using Soxhlet extraction apparatus. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts on the various test organisms, including multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria were investigated. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by the Well Diffusion Method. The results concluded that the leaf and stem extracts of H. curassavicum possess antibacterial, antifungal activities. There is a possibility of developing this plant as a source of antibacterial and antifungal agent and further investigations are necessary to identify the bioactive principles.