Abstract
This study focuses on the investigation of antimicrobial activity, essential oil composition, antioxidant potential, phenolic profile, biofilm activity, cytotoxicity and mineral composition from the stem extracts of Halothamnus auriculus. The extraction was done using different organic solvents of increasing polarity. The antioxidant potential of all extracts was assessed by DPPH (2, 2-dipheny-1-picrylhydrazyl) radial scavenging ability. The DPPH inhibition (%) was in the range of 49.45-14.84. Cytotoxicity (%) was analyzed by hemolytic activity and it was in the range of 11.90-48.43. Antimicrobial activity was estimated by agar well diffusion method and inhibition zone were measured. Ethanol extract manifested maximum inhibition zone range which was 18-4 mm against bacterial strains E. coli and 18-3 mm against B. subtilis. Biofilm activity observed against S. aureus was in the range of 5.1-53.77%. The total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) were in the range of 115.0-173.4 GAE, mg/100 g and 72.23-135.23 CE, mg/100 g respectively. HPLC analysis showed high concentration of sinapic acid and p-coumaric acid. Chemical composition of H. auriculus stem was examined by GC-MS analysis. Elemental analysis showed that stem of H. auriculus is rich in Calcium.