Among all available antimicrobials, antibiotics hold a prime position in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a serious threat to the effectiveness of antibiotics, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and escalation in healthcare costs causing a global health crisis. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in global healthcare setups have accelerated the development and spread of AMR, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, which further limits treatment options. This creates a critical need to explore alternative approaches to combat bacterial infections. Phytochemicals have gained attention as a potential source of alternative medicine to address the challenge of AMR. Phytochemicals are structurally and functionally diverse and have multitarget antimicrobial effects, disrupting essential cellular activities. Given the promising results of plant-based antimicrobials, coupled with the slow discovery of novel antibiotics, it has become highly imperative to explore the vast repository of phytocompounds to overcome the looming catastrophe of AMR. This review summarizes the emergence of AMR towards existing antibiotics and potent phytochemicals having antimicrobial activities, along with a comprehensive overview of 123 Himalayan medicinal plants reported to possess antimicrobial phytocompounds, thus compiling the existing information that will help researchers in the exploration of phytochemicals to combat AMR.

Partial nutritional analysis including total polyphenols, vitamin C, total soluble solids (°Brix), soluble sugars and mineral constituents was evaluated for the banana fruits derived from six triploid Musa accessions grown in coastal oasis of south of Tunisia. Results showed that pH values ranged from 5.44 to 6.01. The °Brix values varied between 4.00 g/100 g (Fresh weight) FW in ‘Arbi IRA’, and 1.33 g/100 g FW in ‘Lobnani’. Carbohydrates were quantified in all tested samples of the six accessions of banana fruits whereas sucrose was detected only in four accessions. The highest values of glucose, fructose and sucrose were 2.7, 3.37and 1.8 g/100 g FW, respectively. Total polyphenols content ranged from 46.0 to 55.08 mg GAE /100g FW. Vitamin C was detected in smaller quantity. Regarding the mineral composition K, P and Na were found in relatively large quantities in banana fruits whereas the levels of Mg and Ca were medium. Significant disparities were detected in mineral contents of banana samples. The micro-elements composition such as zinc, copper, iron and magnesium varied according to the tested accessions. The analysis showed a high Fe content of up to 1945 mg/100g dried matter. Therefore, banana fruits may be recommended for daily supplies of Fe, K and other mineral elements. Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(2): 253-260, 2023 (June)