Abstract

• The plant Muntingia calabura L., Myanmar name ‟Hnget-thagya” belongs to the family Muntingiaceae. The plants are widely distributed in Myanmar. It was collected from Hpa-an township, Kayin State from October to December (2019). In this study, morphological and histological characters, phytochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of Muntingia calabura L. were investigated. In morphological study, the plant is small trees, leaves alternate and simple. Inflorescences solidary cymes. Flower white. In histological study, anisocytic stomata present on lower surface of lamina. Unicellular simple, stellate and multicellular head glandular trichomes are also present. Type of Vascular bundles in lamina, midrib and petiole are collateral type. The powdered sample has been investigated and presented as diagnostic characters for the standardization of powdered drugs. Phytochemical tests were done at Department of Botany, Hpaan University. Phytochemical tests of Muntingia calabura L. leaves showed the presence of alkaloid, α-amino acid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, glycoside, phenolic compound, protein, reducing sugar, saponin, starch, steroid, tannin and terpenoid. Antimicrobial activity of leaves of Muntingia calabura L. was carried out at Botany Department, University of Yangon by using different solvent extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water). The extracts of Muntingia calabura L. leaves indicated antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Echerichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Xanthomonas oryzae. Among them, methonolic extracts showed the most significant antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans as well as ethanolic extract on Candida albicans. Peteroleum ether and aqueous extract showed antimicrobial activity on all microorganisms. Muntingia calabura L. leaves are effective on protection of diseases which caused by microorganisms.