B. Radhika

Rhynchostylis retusa is a medicinal orchid, used to cure blood dysentery, Tuberculosis, epilepsy, menstrual disorders, fewer, gout, Asthma, rheumatism, Malarial fewer etc. The purpose of this study were to determine photochemical constitutes and antibacterial activity of medicinal orchid Rhynchostylis retusa. Hexane, Chloroform and methanol extracts of this orchid were used to determine antibacterial activity against ten clinical pathogenic bacteria. A quantitative photochemical analysis was performed for the detection of Alkaloids, tannins, Flavoniods, Flavones, Flavonones, Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins, coumarines etc. The present study will be successful to identify antibacterial activity which could be further exploited for isolation and characterization of the novel phytochemicals in the treatment of infectious diseases especially in light of the emergence of drug resistant microorganisms and the need to produce more effective antimicrobial agents. Among these three extracts, chloroform and methonolic extracts shows highest zone of inhibition than the hexane extracts.