Christella dentata is a common pteridophyte. Fronds of Christella dentata are evaluated for its antibacterial potential and phytochemical contents in various solvent extracts of the plant in increasing polarity towards pathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial activity was primarily evaluated by disc diffusion method. The results indicated that the plant exhibited antibacterial activity in acetone extract. The acetone extract of the plant showed maximum level of activity towards Staphylococcus aureus. Medium polar compounds are extracted during acetone extraction and these compounds are responsible for antibacterial activity. Petroleum ether and water extracts did not show any antibacterial activity towards any of the tested organisms. Flavonoids and phenols were observed in various extracts. Flavonoid content in acetone extract of the plant may be one of the reasons for their antibacterial activity. Acetone extract of the plant exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration as 50 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration as 100 mg/mL towards Staphylococcus aureus. The plant showed lower level of inhibition towards Klebsiella pneumoniae compared to the other bacterial strains.

Keywords: Christella dentata; Antibacterial Activity; Disc Diffusion; Phytochemicals;