Biological studies on fruit pulp and seeds of Annona squamosa

The in-vitro antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, phytotoxic and cytotoxic properties of A. squamosa (Annonaceae) were studied. Ethanolic and pet. ether extracts of fruit pulp and seeds were tested for antifungal activity in-vitro against six fungi, Trichaphyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporium canis, Fusarium solani, Candida glaberata, besides this it is also tested for antibacterial activity against six bacteria namely: Escherachia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella flexeneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. The degree of susceptibility varied with different solvents. The alcoholic extract of seeds showed higher susceptibility for Trichophyton longifusus. Bioassays of the crude alcoholic and pet. ether extracts, in the brine shrimp test for cytotoxicity, evaluated relative potencies. Alcoholic extract of seeds was 1000 times more potent than that of etoposide. The pet. ether extract of seeds of A. squamosa exhibited 57.8% phytogrowth inhibitory activity on seedlings of Lamna minor. It also exhibited the 50% growth inhibition of insects.