Abstract

IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF COIR PITH EXTRACT FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Vishal Verma*, Dr. Vijendra Nath Trivedi, Mr. Shubham Patel

ABSTRACT

The escalating misuse of antibiotics has intensified microbial resistance, complicated the treatment of common infections, and impaired wound recovery. In response, coir pith, a lignocellulosic by-product of coconut husk processing, has emerged as a promising natural resource for antimicrobial and antioxidant applications. Rich in bioactive secondary metabolites, including tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and carbohydrates, coir pith provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to synthetic compounds in biomedical formulations. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of coir pith extract through in vitro assays. Antibacterial efficacy was assessed using the disc-well diffusion method against six pathogenic strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The extract exhibited notable inhibitory activity, with S. aureus and S. pneumoniae showing the highest sensitivity. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.625 to 5 mg/ml, while minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) varied between 1.25 and 5 mg/ml, depending on the organism. E. coli demonstrated resistance across all tested concentrations. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, revealing moderate, dose-dependent activity with an IC₅₀ value of 196.8 μg/ml. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and lignin, which likely contribute to the extract’s therapeutic efficacy. These findings underscore the potential of coir pith extract as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, supporting its integration into future biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords: Agroresidues, Coir pith, Bioactive compounds, Phenolics, therapeutic, activity.