Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Embelia robusta: a common adulterant in black pepper

The present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemistry as well as the antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and irritant activities of fruit of Embelia robusta. Agar-well diffusion method was used for antimicrobial study whereas for antioxidant activity three tests namely, DPPH assay, β-Carotene assay and ascorbic acid content were performed. The results from antibacterial assay showed presence of antibacterial activity in all the three plant extracts (methanol, chloroform and n-hexane). Significant antioxidant activity was also found to be present and plant extracts showed no irritant effect. Alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, tannins and flavonoids were also detected in the plant. The study shows that the plant possesses significant medicinal value.