Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Screening of Ficus racemosa: A Comprehensive Study on Water-Borne Pathogen Control

Abstract

Water-borne diseases represent a significant global health challenge, particularly in developing countries where contaminated water sources contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates. Ficus racemosa Linn. (Family: Moraceae), commonly known as Gular, is a traditionally important medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating various infectious diseases. This comprehensive study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial potential of different parts of Ficus racemosa against water-borne pathogens. Systematic extraction using solvents of varying polarity revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, terpenoids, and sterols. Antimicrobial screening demonstrated significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris, with zones of inhibition ranging from 6.3 to 23.6 mm depending on extract concentration and microbial strain. Methanolic extracts exhibited superior antimicrobial activity compared to aqueous and petroleum ether extracts. Water quality analysis revealed that the presence of Ficus racemosa roots significantly reduced total bacterial count from 3.6 × 10⁵ CFU/ml to 1.2 × 10³ CFU/ml, demonstrating potential for natural water purification. This research provides scientific validation for the traditional use of Ficus racemosa in managing infectious diseases and highlights its potential application in controlling water-borne pathogenic contamination.