BIOACTIVITIES OF SELECTED EDIBLE FRUITS OF WESTERN GHATS REGION OF KARNATAKA

Medicinal plants are well known for their therapeutic potential. The present study explored some of the selected medicinal plants for their bioactive potential. Fruits of selected plants were evaluated for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities. These plants extract were also subjected for the determination of functional groups present. All the test extracts showed good antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Methanolic extract of Bridelia scandens fruit was found to be more potent in inhibiting all the test cultures used, with a better zone of inhibition. It also revealed to possess stronger antioxidant ability by scavenging 87.62 % of DPPH radicals, 80.12 % of superoxide radical and by inhibiting 77.27% of lipid peroxidation process compared to other test extracts. FTIR studies of these species have shown the common and uncommon functional groups. Fruits of Bridelia scandens appeared to be a promising source compared to other test plants in the further isolation of bioactive compounds for determining bioactivities.