Extraction of Phytochemicals from Eucalyptus Spp. & Withania Somnifera and Their Biological Testing

Disease incidence and prevalence is increasing in developing countries leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. Since most of the developing countries rely on traditional plant based medicine, there is huge demand for identifying the bioactive compounds from plant origin with medicinal properties owing to their safety, availability and reduced side effects. This project focuses on extraction of two different phytochemicals from Eucalyptus Spp and Withania Somnifera. The present study narrows down on extraction of sideroxylonals from Eucalyptus Spp and withaferin A from Withania Somnifera. Formulated phloroglucinol compounds (FPC) of Eucalyptus Spp includes Sideroxylonal which possess strong antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Withaferin A belonging to withanoloides of Withania Somnifera has potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Both the bioactive compounds are extracted from residual foliage from Eucalyptus Spp and Withania Somnifera. The extraction is optimized by using different solvents or combination of solvents in various proportions to increase yield. The extracted compound is studied for its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and characterized using FTIR analysis, TLC and HPLC analysis. Antioxidant assay performed by DPPH method and phosphomolybdenum method showed similar IC50 values for both extracts. Antimicrobial assay performed using agar disc diffusion method showed potential antimicrobial activity in both the extracts.