In-vitro antimicrobial activity of Madhuca indica and Cassia fistula leaves against food-borne pathogens

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of leaves of Madhuca indica and Cassia fistula was tested against food-borne pathogens including two species of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enteriditis) and two species of Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes and methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus) using disc diffusion method. In addition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of plant extracts were determined. In the disc diffusion method, both the plants extracts were effective in reducing the bacterial growth of tested food-pathogens. The zone inhibition of ranged from 16 to 19 mm for Madhuca and 12 to 13 mm for Cassia plant extracts. Madhuca indica extracts were effective in reducing bacteria growth compared to Cassia fistula extracts (p