EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS (COLLECTED FROM NORTHERN HIMALAYAS) AGAINST CERTAIN HUMAN PATHOGENS

Author(s): Amit Bharal, Manila Kashyap, Vipan Kumar Sohpal and Jaspreet Kaur Sembi

Abstract

The four main varieties of orchids, collected from northern Himalayas (Tara devi and Chhrabra forests, Shimla, HP) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic bacteria. The ethanol and methanol extracts of Cypripedium cordigerum and Malaxis acuminata were found to be highly active against both P.aeruginosa and S.aureus with minimal microbial static concentration (MIC) in the range of 100mg/ml. These plants particularly demonstrated antimicrobial properties against Gram negative bacterial strains, which are responsible for severe opportunistic bacterial infection and are resistant to hospitalized infections. These orchid species may thus, be considered important tools in antibacterial strategies. It can be concluded that orchid family represent an untapped source of potentially useful antibacterial products and are worthy of further study.

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