Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Selected Wild Edible Plants from Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra (India)

Shyamalkant K. Biswas

Abstract: Wild edible plants are known to harbor an abundance of bioactive compounds that contribute to their nutritional and therapeutic potential. The present study investigates the antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts from four wild vegetables traditionally consumed by the tribal communities of Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra - Alternanthera paronychioides St. Hil. Voy., Phoenix acaulis Roxb., Holarrhena pubescens (Buch-Ham.) Wall. ex G. Don, and Olax psittacorum (Willd.) Vahl. The antibacterial potential was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method against two clinically significant bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). Results revealed considerable variation in the species, with Holarrhena pubescens demonstrating the strongest inhibitory effects, while Phoenix acaulis exhibited weak activity. The findings validate the ethnomedicinal relevance of these wild plants and suggest that they could serve as natural sources for novel antibacterial agents.

Keywords: Wild edible plants; antibacterial screening; agar well diffusion; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; phytochemicals; methanolic extracts

How to Cite?: Shyamalkant K. Biswas, "Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Selected Wild Edible Plants from Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra (India)", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 864-869, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251109093923, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251109093923