Beta vulgaris root extracts: as free radical scavengers and antibacterial agent

In this work, Beta vulgaris root was examined for their natural pigments, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Beta vulgaris root was extracted with methanol and ethanol solvents. Now these extracts were subjected to the determination of antioxidant potential using two different methods. Methanol extract showed maximum reducing power at 1.0 mg/ml followed by ethanol extract in reducing power assay and had highest β-carotene bleaching activity (33%) than ethanol extract (28%) in β-carotene method. Furthermore, antibacterial potential was carried out against four strains of bacteria two gram negative E. coli, S. dysenteriae and two garm positive B. subtilis and S. aureus at different concentration (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/ml). The result shows that methanol extract exhibited highest zone of inhibition 20±0.9mm for B. subtilis followed by ethanol extract with 18.2±0.02mm with MIC value (111 μg/ml) comparable with the standard Ampicillin. In addition to this, from the methanol extract ferulic acid was isolated and characterized via chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. So that Beta vulgaris root extracts with their active natural pigments are optimistically taken in account as natural antioxidant and antibacterial agent.