Antibacterial Efficacy Of Some Nigerian Herbs

F. C. Akharaiyi and F. O. Omoya

Microbiology Department, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure (Nigeria)

ABSTRACT: The effect of cold and hot water extracts of the medicinal plants Euphorbia hirta and Mormodica charantia on the growth of some bacterial isolates was assessed using agar diffusion technique and broth dilution method. All the extracts showed varying degrees of inhibition depending on the organism tested, the plant species, method of extract preparation and extract concentration. The six pathogenic organisms tested are Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus (local) and Staphylococcus aureus (NCIB 8588). The combinations of the two extracts was more active on the test organisms than when used separately. The MIC of the single extract with cold water was in range of between 130-145μg/ml while it was in the range of between 115-130μg/ml in the mixed extract. In the hot water of single extracts, it was in the range of between 100-145μg/ml and between 100-130μg/ml in the mixed extracts. With cold water of single extracts, MBC was in the range of 145-160μg/ml and between 115-145μg/ml in the mixed extract. With hot water of single extract it was between 130 –160 μg/ml and between 100-145μg/ml with mixed extract. Escherichia coli was most susceptible to the extracts while Bacillus cereus was the least susceptible.

KEYWORDS: Antibacterial efficacy; extract; medicinal plants

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