Screening of antibacterial activity of Muntingia calabura leaves extracts against bacterial pathogens

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Muntingia calabura (Elaeocarpaceae) leaves against a selected panel of microorganisms. Antimicrobial testing was carried out using the agar well diffusion assay method. The microbes targeted were Xanthomonas campestris pv. Oryzae, Erwinia amylovora and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Results of this study showed that the methanol leaf extract of M. calabura was effective against Xanthomonas campestris pv. Oryzae, Erwinia amylovora and Agrobacterium tumefaciens with inhibition zone of 1.2, 0.8 and 0.6 cm respectively. The chloroform and petroleum ether extracts showed comparatively less zone of inhibition against the selected pathogens. Finally, we concluded that M.calabura possesses a potential antibacterial property and the results also suggest the presence of more potent polar antibacterial compound in the Muntingia calabura plant material.