Effect of henna and roselle extracts on pathogenic bacteria

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial effects of water and ethanolic extracts of henna leaves and roselle calyxes against pathogenic bacteria isolated from domestic wastewater.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity was determined in the extracts using agar disc diffusion method. The antibacterial activities of extracts (2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% w/v) of both henna and roselle were tested against one Gram-positive Bacillius subtilis; two Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa human pathogenic bacteria.ResultsEthanolic extracts had more antimicrobial activity than water extracts. Ethanolic extract of roselle had the highest antibacterial activity against all tested organisms, followed with ethanolic extract of henna. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive bacteria to plant extracts.ConclusionThe results of this study suggested that roselle contains more phyto-chemicals with antimicrobial activity than henna on the bacteria strains under study, and these phyto-chemicals were more effective when extracted by ethanol rather than water.     

In vitro bioactivity and phytochemical screening of Suaeda maritima (Dumort): a mangrove associate from Bhitarkanika, India

ObjectiveTo investigate the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities along with phytochemical screening of organic and aqueous extracts of leaf and stem of Suaeda maritima (Dumort), a mangrove associate from Bhitarkanika of Odisha, India.MethodsAntioxidant activity of the crude extracts was evaluated in terms of total antioxidant capacity, total phenol content, ascorbic acid content, DPPH radical scavenging, metal chelating, nitric oxide scavenging, and reducing power etc. The antimicrobial activity of the plant was determined by agar well diffusion method along with MIC and MBC carried out by microdilution techniques against 10 gram positive and gram negative human pathogenic bacteria. The qualitative and quantative phytochemical screening were carried out by standard biochemical assays.ResultsOut of the seven antioxidant bioassays, both the leaf and stem extracts were found to posses strong antioxidant properties of 70 % to 92 % for phenol, total antioxidant capacity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and fairly good ascorbic acid content, metal chelating (1.33 %-22.55 %), reducing power (0.01-0.12) and nitric oxide scavenging (0.84 %-66.99 %) activities. Out of the four extracts evaluated for antimicrobial activity, two leaf extracts such as acetone and ethanol showed promising activity against four pathogenic bacteria and one stem methanol extracts against one pathogenic bacteria when compared with amoxcycillin as standard. The MIC and MBC values of the antimicrobial extracts ranged between 2.5 to 5.0 mg/mL. Screening of phytochemicals showed presence of carbohydrates, protein, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids in comparatively higher amount than other phytochemicals tested.ConclusionsThe present study reveals the presence of potential antioxidants and antimicrobial properties in the plant extract which could be exploited for pharmaceutical application.     

Insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bulb extracts of Allium sativum

ObjectiveTo evaluate the insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bulb extracts of Allium sativum (A. sativum).MethodsDried bulbs of A. sativum were extracted with different solvents and evaluated for insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.MethodsAqueous and methanol extracts showed highest insecticidal activity (mortality rate of 81% and 64% respectively) against the larvae of Spodoptera litura (S. litura) at a concentration of 1 000 ppm. With regard to antimicrobial activity, aqueous extract exhibited antibacterial activity against gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureu,) and gram negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) strains and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. While methanol extract showed antimicrobial activity against all the tested micro organisms except two (Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), the extracts of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate did not show any anti microbial activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration of aqueous and methanol extracts against tested bacterial and fungal strains was 100–150 μg/mL. Antioxidant activity of the bulb extracts was evaluated in terms of inhibition of free radicals by 2, 2′-diphenly-1-picrylhydrazyl. Aqueous and methanol extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity (80%–90% of the standard).ConclusionsAntioxidant and antimicrobial activity of A. sativum against the tested organisms therefore, provides scientific basis for its utilization in traditional and folk medicine. Also, our results demonstrated the insecticidal efficacy of A. sativum against S. litura, a polyphagous insect.     

Phytochemical screening and comparative antimicrobial potential of different extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves

ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro antimicrobial potential and phytochemical screening of the crude extracts of leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.MethodsThe essential oil and crude extracts were prepared by using different usual method. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities were measured by the well established methods.ResultsHighest antifungal index [(12.13±0.08) mm)] and lowest antifungal index [(9.13±0.04) mm] as well as highest antibacterial index [(11.89±0.07) mm] and lowest antibacterial index [(7.24±0.03) mm] were obtained for extracts B, H, A and F, respectively. Invariably extract C, E, I, J and H did not show antimicrobial activity. The extract F showed all antifungal and antibacterial activity except Bacillus cereus and Bacillus megaterium.ConclusionsThe above findings support the idea that plant extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves may have a role to be used as pharmaceuticals or preservatives.     

Comparative study of total phenolics,flavonoids contents and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different polarities fruits crude extracts of Datura metel L.

ObjectiveTo determine the total phenolics and flavonoids and to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different extracts from fruits of Datura metel (D. metel).MethodsDifferent crude extracts from the fruits of D. metel were subjected to determination of total phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities by established methods.ResutlsThe total phenolics results showed that ethyl acetate extract was the most efficient (60.26%) compared to hexane, chloroform, butanol and methanol extracts which had phenolic contents of 50.08, 35.50, 52.54 and 26.49%, respectively. Almost similar results were obtained from the fruits crude extracts for total flavonoids and results found that methanol crude extract was the highest (1.71%) compared to other crude extracts. The antioxidant activity results showed that methanol extract acted the highest activity compared to other extracts and in the order of methanol>ethyl acetate>hexane>chloroform>butanol extract. All extracts were displayed moderate antibacterial potential against the tested bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonus aeruginosa in the range of 0%–10%.ConclusionsThe results of this present study clearly showed that the crude extracts of D. metel demenstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and it may act as potential antioxidant sources for human biological system.     

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against three mosquito vectors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts.MethodsThe hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol leaf, flower and seed extracts of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius), Croton bonplandianum (C. bonplandianum), Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Musa paradisiaca (M. paradisiaca) and Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) were tested against fourth instar larvae of Anopheles vagus (An. vagus), Armigeres subalbatus (Ar. subalbatus) and Culex vishnui (Cx. vishnui).ResultsThe highest larval mortality was found in seed ethyl acetate extracts of A. precatorius and leaf extracts of C. bonplandianum, flower chloroform and methanol extracts of M. paradisiaca, and flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against An. vagus with LC₅₀ values of 19.31, 39.96, 35.18, 79.90 and 85.90 μg/mL; leaf ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. dactylon, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud methanol extract of S. aromaticum against Ar. subalbatus with LC₅₀ values of 21.67, 32.62, 48.90 and 78.28 μg/mL, and seed methanol of A. precatorius, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against Cx. vishnui with LC₅₀ values of 136.84, 103.36 and 149.56 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the effective plant crude extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of disease vectors. This study provides the first report on the larvicidal activity of crude solvent extracts of different mosquitoes.     

Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities of ethanol extracts of selected traditional Chinese medicinal herbs

ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activities of selected 58 ethno-medicinal plant extracts with a view to assess their therapeutic potential.MethodsA total of 58 traditional Chinese medicinal plants were carefully selected based on the literature review and their traditional use. The antimicrobial activities of ethanol extracts of these medicinal plants were tested against fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus), yeast (Candida albicans), gram-negative (Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The activities were tested at three different concentrations of 1.00, 0.10 and 0.01 mg/mL. The data was analysed using Gene data Screener program.ResultsThe measured antimicrobial activities indicated that out of the 58 plant extracts, 15 extracts showed anti-fungal activity and 23 extracts exhibited anti-bacterial activity. Eight plant extracts have exhibited both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. For instance, Eucommia ulmoides, Polygonum cuspidatum, Poria cocos and Uncaria rhyncophylla showed activity against both bacterial and fungal strains, indicating their broad spectrum of activity.ConclusionsThe results revealed that the ethanol extracts of 30 plants out of the selected 58 possess significant antimicrobial activities. It is interesting to note that the findings from the current study are consistent with the traditional use. A clear correlation has also been found between the antimicrobial activity and the flavonoid content of the plant extracts which is in agreement with the literature. Hence, the results presented here can be used to guide the selection of potential plant species for the isolation and structure elucidation of novel antimicrobial compounds in order to establish the structure-activity relationship. This in turn is expected to lead the way to the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents for therapeutic use.     

The effect of leaves extracts of Clitoria ternatea Linn against the fish pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of Clitoria ternatea(C. ternatea) against the fish pathogens viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli(E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia(K. pneumonia), Bacillus subtilis(B. subtilis), Aeromonas formican(A. formicans)s, Aeromonas hydrophila(A. hydrophila) and Streptococcus agalactiae(S. agalactiae) isolated from diseased Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).MethodsThe extracts of C. ternatea was tested against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, A. formicans, A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae by the agar well diffusion method.ResultsDifferent extracts of C. ternatea showed inhibitory effects against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, A. formicans, A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae. Ethyl acetate extracts of C. ternatea showed maximum of zone of inhibition against A. formicans (18 mm), A. hydrophilia (19 mm), B. subtilis (19 mm) and P. aeruginosa (21 mm) next to that ethanol extract of C. ternatea showed A. formicans (18 mm) and E. coli (14 mm) followed by Acetone extract showed maximum zone of inhibition S. agalactiae (19 mm) and K. pneumonia (17 mm).ConclusionsThe antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternative in the treatment of infectious by these microorganisms was present in the fish. Susceptibility testing is conducted on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in fish production.     

Preliminary study on the antibacterial activity of some medicinal plants of Khuzestan (Iran)

ObjectiveTo search for antimicrobial agents among natural products.MethodsEthanolic extracts of 4 plant species, including Beta vulgaris L. (Chenopodiaceae), Amaranthus graecizans (A. graecizans) L. (Amaranthaceae), Rumex obtusifolius (R. obtusifolius) L. and Polygonum patulum (P. patulum) M.B. (Polygonaceae), were evaluated for antibacterial activity using agar disc diffusion method against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria [Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Streptococcus pyogenes (Str. pyogenes)]. These extracts were obtained from aerial parts of the used plants.ResultsThe majority of these extracts had inhibitory effect at different concentrations (0.05 g/mL, 0.10 g/mL, 0.20 g/mL and 0.40 g/mL) against above mentioned bacteria. E. coli was the most resistant strain. The highest inhibitory zone was showed by ethanolic extract of P. patulum against Str. pyogenes (28 mm) and followed by ethanolic extract of B. vulgaris against S. epidermidis (23 mm). The extract of A. graecizans didn't show inhibitory activity except at 0.40 g/mL against B. cereus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of R. obtusifolius extract that was measured against Str. pyogenes were equal (MIC=MBC=5.00mg/mL).ConclusionThe findings of this study could also be as new source for antibiotics discovery and infection treatment.     

Antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Salacia chinensis Linn. against human pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate antimicrobial effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Salacia chinensis (S. chinensis) Linn. against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.MethodsThe Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (MTCC 96), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) (MTCC 435), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) (MTCC 121), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (MTCC 443), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (MTCC 432), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) (MTCC 1429), Salmonella paratyphi A (S. paratyphi A) (MTCC 735), Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) (MTCC 98), Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri) (MTCC 1457) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (MTCC 424), Candida albicans (C. albicans) (MTCC 183) and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) (clinical isolate) were originally obtained from Microbial Type Culture Collection Centre, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. Antimicrobial activity was carried out by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods against pathogens by using crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts.ResultsEthanolic extract of S. chinensis L. leaves showed significant antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis (33.20 mm), C. albicans (30.40 mm) and C. neoformans (18.20 mm) mean values were documented. Aqueous extract of leaves showed significant inhibitory activity against C. neoformans (19.8 mm) and S. epidermidis (17.80 mm) were observed. Based on broth dilution method, the ethanolic extract of crude plant material showed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against S. epidermidis, C. neoformans (256 μg/mL) and C. albicans (512 μg/mL), whereas the aqueous extract of S. chinensis L. leaves showed significant inhibitory activity against S. epidermidis (512 μg/mL) and C. neoformans (1024 μg/mL) were observed.ConclusionsThe present result revealed that ethanolic extract of S. chinensis L. possesses significant antifungal activity when compared as the antibacterial activities.     

Insecticidal and Repellant Activities of Four indigenous medicinal Plants Against Stored Grain Pest,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

ObjectiveThe present investigation was aimed to assess the impact of four indigenous plants for their insecticidal and repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), a stored grain pest and they were tested in the laboratory.MethodsFour widely distributed plants (Artemisia vulgaris, Sphaeranthus indicus, Tephrosia purpurea, and Prosopis juliflora) were sequentially extracted with increasing polarity of organic solvents such as, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate were evaluated for their insecticidal and repellent activities against Tribolium castaneum by adapting the standard protocol in in vitro.ResultsData pertaining to the present investigation clearly revealed that the percentage of mortality was maximum in(72 hr 58%) hexane extract of A. vulgaris, chloroform extract (72 hr 34%) of S. indicus, and ethyl acetate extract (72 hr 52%) of T. purpurea. Repellant activities of plant extracts were tested against T. castaneum, repellent activity was maximum in hexane extract of P. fuliflora, (EPI value for P. fuliflora in 2.5% was ?0.11 and ?0.33 at 1hr and 6 hr respectively) chloroform extract of T. purpurea (2.5% was ?0.17 at 6 hr) and ethyl acetate extract of S. indicus (2.5% was ?0.65 at 6 hr) against T. castaneum.ConclusionsThe present work for botanical products to control the insect pest of stored grain Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). These results suggest the presence of actives toxic substances acting after consumption or topical application.     

Antibacterial activity and characterization of secondary metabolites isolated from mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis

ObjectiveTo explore antibacterial activity and characterization of secondary metabolites isolated from mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis (A. officinalis).MethodsIn the present study the leaf extracts of A. officinalis were examined for its antibacterial potential using five different solvents against some reference strains of human pathogenic bacteria for the crude extract. Maximum activity was observed for ethyl acetate and hence different concentrations like 15 μL, 25 μL, and 50 μL of ethyl extracts was checked for its antibacterial activity. Partial purification of crude extract was carried by column chromatography and fractions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify compounds.ResultsThe crude ethyl acetate extracts of A. officinalis showed remarkable antibacterial activity with zones of inhibition of 13 mm against Eschericia coli (E. coli) and 11 mm against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Fraction 13 (ethyl acetate÷methanol= 8÷2) as the most potent one against with the minimal inhibitory concentration of 30 mm against E. coli and 25 mm against S. aureus. The GCMS resultsof active column fraction (F13) revealed that the active principals were a mixture of hydroxy-4 methoxybenzoic acid, diethyl phthalate, oleic acid.ConclusionsThe leaf extracts with proven antibacterial effects can clearly be directed towards cancer treatment as to inhibiting cancer cell growth. The limited number of test organisms owes to a constraint of resource. So, the effect of strong bursts of leaf extracts on human pathogenic bacteria should further be tested on a wide range of test organisms.     

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS CERRADO

The antimicrobial activity of plant hidroethanolic extracts on bacteria Gram positive, Gram negative, yeasts, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 and Mycobacterium bovis was evaluated by using the technique of Agar diffusion and microdilution in broth. Among the extracts evaluated by Agar diffusion, the extract of Bidens pilosa leaf presented the most expressive average of haloes of growth inhibition to the microorganisms, followed by the extract of B. pilosa flower, of Eugenia pyriformis'' leaf and seed, of Plinia cauliflora leaf which statistically presented the same average of haloes inhibitory formation on bacteria Gram positive, Gram negative and yeasts. The extracts of Heliconia rostrata did not present activity. Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) appeared resistant to all the extracts. The susceptibility profile of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi were compared to one another and to the Gram positive Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and the Gram negative Salmonella typhimurium bacteria (p > 0.05). The evaluation of cytotoxicity was carried out on C6-36 larvae cells of the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The extracts of stem and flower of Heliconia rostrata, leaf and stem of Plinia cauliflora, seed of Anonna crassiflora and stem, flower and root of B. pilosa did not present toxicity in the analyzed concentrations. The highest rates of selectivity appeared in the extracts of stem of A. crassiflora and flower of B. pilosa to Staphylococcus aureus, presenting potential for future studies about a new drug development.     

Antimicrobial activity of different tissues of snakehead fish Channa striatus (Bloch)

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the presence of antimicrobial activity in different organs/tissues (gills, blood, skin, liver, intestine, kidney, tissue and ovary) extract of snakehead fish Channa striatus.MethodsA total of 48 fractions from the organs and tissue extracts were obtained by solid-phase extraction and the fractions were assayed for antimicrobial activity. The screening of antimicrobial activity for all the fractions were tested against 8 human pathogens including Gram positive (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and Gram negative bacteria (Salmonella enteritidis, Shigella flexneri, Acinetobacter baumanni, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) using the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) standardized disc susceptibility test method. The activity was measured in terms of zone of inhibition in mm.ResultsThe results indicated that, among the 8 organs/tissues tested only blood and gills extract fractions (40 and 60 % ACN fraction) showed inhibition against Escherichia coli and 60 % ACN fraction of gill extract showed inhibition against Salmonella enteritidis. Protein profile analysis by SDS-PAGE showed that antimicrobial activity of the partially purified blood and gill tissue extracts might be due to low molecular weight peptides.ConclusionsThe present study showed that, gill and blood extracts of Channa striatus can be a potential source of an antimicrobial protein for specific human pathogens.     

Antimicrobial activity of mangrove plant (Lumnitzera littorea)

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the leaves of Lumnitzera littorea (L. littorea) against six human pathogenic microbes.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity was evaluated using disc diffusion and microdilution methods.ResultsThe antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts were increased with increasing the concentration. It is clear that n-hexane extract was the most effective extract. Additionally, Gram positive Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) appear to be the most sensitive strain while Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and the yeast strains (Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans)) appear to be resistance to the tested concentrations since no inhibition zone was observed. The inhibition of microbial growth at concentration as low as 0.04 mg/mL indicated the potent antimicrobial activity of L. littorea extracts.ConclusionsThe obtained results are considered sufficient for further study to isolate the compounds responsible for the activity and suggesting the possibility of finding potent antibacterial agents from L. littorea extracts.     

Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on a spike-moss Selaginella inaequalifolia (hook. & grev.) Spring

ObjectiveTo screen the anti-cancer spike-mosses for the presence of various bioactivities and to identify the important bioactive chemicals present in Selaginella inaequalifolia (S. inaequalifolia) (Hook. & Grev.) Spring.MethodsPreliminary phytochemical screening was done by following the method of Brindha et al. Antimicrobial study was carried out by disc diffusion method.ResultsResults of preliminary phytochemical screening on five different extracts (petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water) of the spike-moss S. inaequalifolia show the presence steroids, triterpenes, phenolic group, tannin, sugars and catechin. Alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone and reducing sugar did not show any positive result. Among the five different extracts, ethanol and chloroform extracts show the presence of maximum number (4 each) of compounds. The results on antimicrobial studies show that all the three microbes [Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C. albicans)] tested are resistant to the ethanol extract and susceptible to petroleum ether extract. The petroleum ether extract shows maximum inhibition with 45 mm of inhibition zone in C. albicans. The inhibition zone in S. aureus and E. coli are 26 mm and 22 mm respectively.ConclusionsThe present study shows S. inaequalifolia having potent antibacterial and anticandidal activities.     

Screening and study of antifungal activity of leaf litter actinomycetes isolated from Ternate Island,Indonesia

ObjectiveTo characterize abundance of leaf litter actinomycetes from Ternate Island and to assess the antifungal activity of actinomycetes isolates against Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), and Aspergillus niger.MethodsActinomycetes were isolated from leaf litter of Durio species, Syzygium aromaticum, Piper betle, Myristica fragrans, or Pandanus species and unknown plants. Actinomycetes isolates were cultured in a liquid medium. Bioactive compounds were extracted and tested against fungal using Beury-Kirby method with modification. Minimum inhibitor concentration and cell leakages were conducted. Actinomycetes that produced the highest antifungal activity were indentified using molecular sequence data in 16S rRNA gene.ResultsOut of 50 selected isolates, two isolates MG-500-1-4 and SR-2-2 has highest activity against S. cerevisiae. Concentration of material containing nucleic acids, proteins, Ca⁺ and K⁺ ions and morphological observations indicated that extracts of MG-500-1-4 and SR-2-2 caused cell leakage and invagination of S. cerevisiae cells. Based on 16S rRNA gene identification, MG-500-1-4 and SR-2-2 isolates are similar to Streptomyces misakiensis and Streptomyces tricolor respectively.ConclusionsTernate Island contains interesting biodiversity of actinomycetes that has potential use in agriculture, fisheries, and human health to reduce problem of fungal pathogen.     

The effect of extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia leaves on poultry pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of some commonly available herbs against poultry pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas species isolated from poultry litter.MethodsThe extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia were tested against E. coli and Pseudomonas isolated from poultry litter by the agar diffusion method.ResultsResults indicated that different plant extracts showed inhibitory effects against E. coli (8-13 mm) and Pseudomonas (6.5-13 mm). The four different extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia showed similar levels of antimicrobial activity on E. coli.ConclusionsThe antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternatives in the treatment of infections by these microorganisms were present in the poultry litter. Susceptibility testing is conduced on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in poultry production.     

Composition of the non-polar extracts and antimicrobial activity of Chorisia insignis HBK. leaves

ObjectiveTo investigate the chemical constituents of the petroleum ether extract and the ether fraction of the 70% ethanol extract of Chorisia insignis HBK. leaves, as well as screen its antimicrobial activity.MethodsDifferent chromatographic methods were applied to investigate the non-polar extracts and the diffusion assay method was applied to study the antimicrobial activity.ResultsA total of 50 compounds from the unsaponifiable matter and 20 fatty acid methyl esters were identified from the petroleum ether extract by GC/MS analysis. n-Hentriacontane, n-tritriacontane, stigmastanol, 3-methoxy-5, 6-dihydrostigmasterol, 7,8-dihydroergosterol, 4-methylcholesterol, cholestanol, multiflorenol, cholest-5-en-3-one, cholest-6-one, 5,6-dihydroergosterol, stigmasterol, dihydroalbigenin and 11-methyl-Δ^{5,7,9,15,17,23}-triacont-hex-ene were isolated from the petroleum ether extract. Methyl heptacosanoate and quinic acid ester of rhamnose were isolated from the ether fraction of the 70% ethanol extract. Antimicrobial activity of the total alcohol extract and the successive fractions showed that the ether and the ethyl acetate fractions have potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus.ConclusionsThe ether and the ethyl acetate fractions could be used in pharmaceutical formulations as antibacterial agents against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus, and further clinical trials should be performed in order to support the above investigations.     

Antimicrobial activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract against uropathogenic strains isolated from recurrent urinary tract infections

ObjectiveTo report the antimicrobial effect and biofilm forming capacity of the uropathogenic strains that have been isolated from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) extract.MethodsSix Escherichia coli and two Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were collected from patients with recurrent UTIs. The susceptibility of bacterial isolates to H. sabdariffa extracts were tested by determining their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by using the broth microdilution method in accordance to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Time-kill curves were plotted against the eight isolates based on the MIC results. The biofilm forming capacity of the isolates were evaluated using the microtiter plate assay. Detection of biofilms was done using the crystal violet staining method.ResultsVarious levels of the extracts MIC were observed against all the uropathogenic isolates. MIC values ranged from 0.5 to 4 mg/mL, and MBC values ranged from 8 to 64 mg/mL. Both the time-kill experiment and MBC-MIC ratio demonstrated that the extracts' effect was in general, bacteriostatic. The biofilm capacity inhibition assay results showed that extracts inhibited biofilm production of all the isolates. The level of biofilm inhibition however, had varied among the bacterial strains and ranged from 8%–60% reduction in optical density.ConclusionsThe results of the study support the effective potential of H. sabdariffa extract to prevent recurrent UTIs and to emphasize the significance of the plant extract, in order to approach it as a potential antimicrobial agent.