Phyto-chemical and biological activity of Myristica fragrans, an ayurvedic medicinal plant in Southern India and its ingredient analysis

The major aspects of using plant-derived medications are significantly safer and secure than synthetic ones. The n-hexane seed extract of ayurvedic medicinal plants Myristica fragrans was also utilized as food ingredients have analyzed for phytochemical existence by Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Twenty-three phytoconstituents were identified with elemicin (24.44%) as the major constituent. Lipid peroxidase, catalase and DPPH assays were performed using the isolated elemicin and the results revealed significant antioxidant activity. The antibacterial study revealed that elemicin showed MIC of 31.25 μg/mL against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi, and 62.5 μg/mL against Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus. Elemicin exhibited better antifungal activity against Candida tropicalis and Aspergillus flavus than Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichophyton rubrum. The study implies that the elemicin isolated from Myristica fragrans possess promising bioactive properties and can be crucially utilized in the development of therapeutic agents and food preservatives.