Abstract

Capsicum frutescen is known in Sudan, is one of the most commonly used pepper species in cooking and in Sudanese folk medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate antimicrobial (bacteria and fungi) and cytotoxicity (Brine Shrimp Lethality Test) of methanolic extract of Capsicum frutescen (fruits). The extract have been tested in the present study to investigate the in vitro potential effects against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi. The selected organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans using the cup plate agar diffusion method. The methanol extract of Capsicum frutescen (fruits) exhibited inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli with zone of inhibition (23 mm) and Klebsiella pneumonia with zone of inhibition (17 mm). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Tannins, Saponin, Alkaloids, Anthroquinoles and Terpenoids. The Cytotoxicity of methanolic extract of Capsicum frutescens was <TEX>$LD_{50}$</TEX> <TEX>$64.68{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>. The activity and presence of compounds known to be biologically active are a validation for the use of Capsicum as a food ingredient and as a therapeutic element of traditional medicine.