Phytochemical and anti-bacterial screening of two traditional rice varieties, Chitti Muthyalu and Khetri Maharaj

Rice is a staple crop for most of the world's population, with a rich history dating back to ancient times.  In India, traditional rice varieties like Chitti Muthyalu and Khetri Maharaj are renowned for their distinct aroma and medicinal properties. However, their detailed potential for phytochemical and antimicrobial activities remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the methanolic seed extracts from two rice varieties for qualitative phytochemical composition and antibacterial properties. The preliminary phytochemical assessment revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including amino acids, alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. Antibacterial screening showed that both rice varieties exhibited significant activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings suggest that both rice varieties are rich in phytochemicals with potential antibacterial properties.