Antimicrobial and mutagenic properties of the root tubers of Gloriosa superba Linn. (Kalihari)

The methanolic, aqueous and petroleum ether extracts of the root tubers of Gloriosa superba were studied for antibacterial, antifungal and mutagenic activities. Results showed that the petroleum ether extracts were highly active against the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Salmonella typhi at 50 μg/ml and active at 1000 μg/ml against Gram-positive bacteria. All extracts strongly inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger and Mucor at 1000 μg/ml and the spore germination of all the fungi at 500 μg/ml. The tubers of G. superba were found to possess mutagenic properties by Ames Salmonella mutagenicity test due to the presence of the colchicines.