To perform preliminary phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and to study the antimicrobial activity of Petroleum ether, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Vernonia cinerea leaves. Leaves of Vernonia cinerea was shade dried, powdered and extracted with respective solvents. The extracts were then screened for phytocompounds, the petroleum ether and ethanol extracts were analysed by GC-MS to detect the compounds present in the polar and non polar solvent extracts of the leaves. Antibacterial potential of the extracts was detected against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ethanol and aqueous extracts shows more activity at different concentration. Antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Monoscus purpures was evaluated. The extracts showed significant activity against the fungal species. The leaves of Vernonia cinerea possess certain bioactive compounds that contribute to its antimicrobial property.
