Screening of Functional Groups, DNA Quantification and Determination of Antimicrobial Potency of Corallocarpus epigaeus Tubers

Abstract

This is most probably the first work in isolating genomic DNA from the dried tubers of Corallocarpus epigaeus (Ce), which is a medicinal plant, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae using Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide extraction method. Ultraviolet spectroscopy is done for the quantitative determination of DNA isolated. Antimicrobial activity of Corallocarpus epigaeus is checked for microbes Salomonella typhi, Streptococcus luteus, Klebsiella, Aspergillus niger using the extract prepared from dried tuber with ethanol and benzene and the zone of inhibition was measured. Minimum inhibitory concentration for specific microbes has been determined. Preliminary Phytochemical screening was done to determine the constituents present in the tuber. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique is performed to determine the functional groups present in the tuber. The results revealed the presence of important antimicrobials and also support the continued sustainable use of these plants in traditional systems of medicine.