The phytochemical composition and antimicro-bial properties of ethanol and aqueous extracts of three cultigens of Capsicum annuum from Goa, namely, Harmal, Khola and Tarvotti were screened. The phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbo-hydrates, flavonoids, phenols and proteins. These were tested for their potential therapeutic activity against one of each of bacterial and fungal strains vis-à-vis controls and the standard drug. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method. The results reflected the influence of varietal differences, endowed with their phytochemical composition, in the biological activity. The study prompts future research to explore the full medicinal potential of these chilli cultigens.