Abstract
In recent years, medicinal plants have become increasingly popular as potential alternative treatments for a variety of ailments. Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant pathogens, development of new antimicrobials is a necessity. The essential oils of plants have many chemical components that exhibit antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Biologically active plant extracts have the potential to combat the detrimental effects of pathogens without the risks sometimes associated with synthetic drugs. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various classes of plants against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. During the study, the essential oils found in leafs, flowers, and the roots of plants were extracted using cold extraction methods and steam distillation. Methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexane, and water were used as solvents. All the plants examined underwent both methods of extractions. The potency of the extracted oils was tested on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by the disk diffusion method. The efficacy of the specific plant extract was analyzed by measuring the zone of inhibition. Preliminary results indicate that all spice, thyme, and cinnamon, extracted in dichloromethane, inhibited the growth of S. aureus. Anise and thyme, extracted in ethanol, inhibit the growth of S. aureus. Anise star and all spice, extracted in ethanol, inhibited the growth of E. coli.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, Dr. Venkatesh Shanbhag
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
Antibacterial Activity of Natural Plant Extracts on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus auereus
Alvin Sherman Library
In recent years, medicinal plants have become increasingly popular as potential alternative treatments for a variety of ailments. Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant pathogens, development of new antimicrobials is a necessity. The essential oils of plants have many chemical components that exhibit antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Biologically active plant extracts have the potential to combat the detrimental effects of pathogens without the risks sometimes associated with synthetic drugs. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various classes of plants against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. During the study, the essential oils found in leafs, flowers, and the roots of plants were extracted using cold extraction methods and steam distillation. Methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexane, and water were used as solvents. All the plants examined underwent both methods of extractions. The potency of the extracted oils was tested on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by the disk diffusion method. The efficacy of the specific plant extract was analyzed by measuring the zone of inhibition. Preliminary results indicate that all spice, thyme, and cinnamon, extracted in dichloromethane, inhibited the growth of S. aureus. Anise and thyme, extracted in ethanol, inhibit the growth of S. aureus. Anise star and all spice, extracted in ethanol, inhibited the growth of E. coli.
