ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS EXTRACTS AGAINST PATHOGENIC BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL STRAINS

Abstract

In the present investigation, the antimicrobial activity of Catharanthus roseus (leaves and stem) was evaluated. The plant material was extracted through maceration method and the results were recorded against different bacterial (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas flourescence) and fungal (Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium culmorum) strains. The zones of inhibition were measured against these strains and compared with commercially available standard antimicrobial discs including ampicillin (10ug) against B. subtilis, sulphomethoxazole (30ug) against P. fluorescence, fuconazole (250mg/625ml) against A. flavus and Ketoconazole (30ug) against F. culmorum. Maximum zone of inhibition was observed for methanol leaf extract against B. subtilis (19 ± 2.08)a while, theminimum for methanol stem extract against F. culmorum (5.33 ± 0.57). Standard antimicrobial discs produced maximum zones of inhibition ampicillin 32.93 ± 1.60 against B. subtilis, sulphomethoxazole 25.91±0.5. fuconazole 33.21±0.5 and ketoconazole 46.55±0.5.