STM Article Repository

The present study was carried out to screen phytochemicals like carbohydrates, terpenoids, resins,
saponins, tannins and alkaloids in the seed extract of Areca catechu by standard protocols and
antibacterial activities of seed extract as well as silver nanoparticles prepared from seed extracts. The
medicinal properties of plants have been investigated in the recent scientific developments throughout
the world, due to their potency against several disease, minor side effects and economic viability.
Several compounds widely distributed in plants which have been reported to exert multiple biological
effect, including antioxidant, free radical scavenging abilities, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic.
Nanoparticles are synthesized using plant materials. The various phytochemicals present within the
plant result in effective reduction of silver salts to nanoparticles. The characterization of silver
nanoparticles was studied by using FTIR, SEM and UV- Visible spectrophotometer. Antibacterial
activity was conducted with aqueous, methanolic and AgNO3 seed extracts against six bacterial
species viz., Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis by agar well diffusion method. The seed extract
showed positive results for carbohydrate, proteins, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins and
saponins. The colour of the solution after treating with AgNO3 was changed from light brown to dark
brown confirmed the reduction of silver ion in presence of seed extract and formation of silver
nanoparticles. Maximum absorption was observed at 400 nm and the size of silver nanoparticles
produced was oval in shape with the diameter of 553-610 nm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Salmonella typhi were found to be the good organisms resistant against areca nut seed extracts while
others were showed intermediate effects. This study suggest that A. catechu nut extract can be a
potential source for developing antibacterial agents against Gram positive bacteria which are
commonly found on human oral cavity and responsible for dental caries. This present study also
supports the use of natural products for medication as antibacterial agents found in plant extract,
which exhibits antibacterial activity to some opportunistic oral bacteria, we have some reservations
towards the side effects that need to be studied and evaluated more thoroughly. The results highlight
the traditional use of “Areca nut” and some scientific validation of the claimed biological antimicrobial
activity in vivo.