Antimicrobial activity of seeds of Nigella Sativa L.

In the present investigation, extraction of seeds of Nigella sativa L. was carried out using different solvents. Cold maceration extraction technique was utilized for extraction using different solvents i.e. methanol, petroleum ether, n-hexane and distilled water. Phytochemical screening of different extracts of seed of N. sativa L. revealed the presence of various medically active constituents. The phytochemical compounds present in the plant extracts were found to be phenols, saponins, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. The antimicrobial activity of extract was investigated against E. coli, Pseudomonas sp. Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger. Maximum zone of inhibition shown in methanol extract against Pseudomonas sp. E. coli and A. niger were 25.88a ± 0.14mm, 20.76 a ± 0.19 mm and 29.39a ± 0.26 mm respectively. Maximum zone of inhibition shown in distilled water extracts against E. coli, Pseudomonas sp. A. niger and R. stolonifer were 23.85 ± 0.19a mm, 19.97a ± 0.19mm,28.43a ± 0.31mm and 25.94a ± 0.20 mm respectively.