Abstract:
Porridges based on rice varieties are common Sri Lankan dietary remedies since early days. This study
was conducted to evaluate the biological activity of herbal porridges based on selected Sri Lankan
traditional rice varieties. In this study, four rice porridges of Madathawalu (MWP), Kalu Heenati (KHP),
Mixed porridge with Sudu heenati, Goda heenati, Masuran, Dik wee (1:1:1:1) (MXP) and Special
traditional porridge (STP) were prepared. Methanolic extracts of these four porridges were subjected to
phytochemical analysis and determination of antibacterial activity. Some phytochemicals including
phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, anthocyanins and
xanthoproteins were identified in all four porridge extracts. The porridge extracts showed antimicrobial
activity against food borne pathogens (both gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), which are the most commonly identified causes of
bacterial skin and soft tissue infections. In conclusion, the Sri Lankan traditional rice based porridges are
rich in phytochemicals and they possess antibacterial activity.
