Broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential of <em>Crassula ovata</em>

Abstract

Due to the rampant microbial resistance to current antibiotics, there must be a necessary search for novel compounds with antimicrobial properties. In effort of this search in plants, this investigation demonstrates the antibacterial characteristics of Crassula ovata (C. ovata) against gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria. 1-3g samples of C. Ovata leaf were extracted using 95% ethanol and the extract were infused into paper discs. The discs were incubated on previously plated bacterial plates and the zones of bacterial inhibition attributable to the infused agents were measured. Control disc were infused with extraction solvents. By the measured zones of clearing, C. ovata demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the following bacteria: K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, E. coli, P. vulgaris, S. agalactiae and S. aureus. As a result of its antibacterial activity against various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, C. ovata showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, hence, could be investigated further for potential development as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial.