Spinach is a green vegetable obtained from fresh leaves of Spinacia oleracea Linn. belonging to family Amaranthaceae. The leaves are antipyretic, diuretic, laxative, anthelmintic and useful in urinary concretions, inflammation of the lungs, bowels and as an antibacterial. Spinach leaves is a rich source of chlorophyll. Pheophorbide-a is a photosensitive agent, was obtained from degradation of chlorophyll in presence of acid. In present study, Pheophorbide-a was obtained from the degradation of chlorophyll present in Spinacia oleracea Linn. in presence of 1 N HCL and investigated the effect of light on antibacterial activity of crude pheophorbide on Staphylococcus epidermidis by plate diffusion method in dark and by exposing to light in order to study photosensitizing action of Pheophorbide-a and the antibacterial effects are compared with standard antibiotic (Tetracycline). The present investigation reveals that Pheophorbide-a crude extract shows antibacterial activity in dark as well as in presence of light (630-750nm). Though it showed zone of inhibition in dark condition the effect was more prominent in the plates incubated under light. So, it is concluded that crude extract of spinach contain Pheophorbide-a possesses photosensitizing properties as an antibacterial effect was enhanced on exposure to light.
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