Abstract: Morinda citrifolia L., also known as noni or Indian mulberry is a small evergreen tree having antimicrobial, antitumor, antidepressant and immune enhancing effects. Various parts of M. citrifolia have been investigated for its phytochemical and antimicrobial properties. In the present study, methanolic extracts of leaf, stem and roots of M. citrifolia has been prepared and analyzed for their phytoconstituents. Qualitative analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and steroids at various levels. Further, the extracts were tested against pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains at different concentrations to determine the influence of phytochemicals. The results revealed that root and leaf extracts has significant antimicrobial activities mainly due to phenolics and tannins. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, major pathogens of nosocomial infections were effectively controlled by the extracts at various concentrations and root extract exhibited significant activity against Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. It has been revealed that, the bioactive substances have influenced the antimicrobial properties of M. citrifolia which could be exploited to formulate novel drugs from plant origin against bacterial and fungal infections.
G. Sibi, Parul Chatly, Sayak Adhikari and K.R. Ravikumar, 2012. Phytoconstituents and Their Influence on Antimicrobial Properties of Morinda citrifolia L.. Research Journal of Medicinal Plants, 6: 441-448.
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