Antibacterial activity of Anona squamosa and Tribulus terrestris leaf extracts

Abstract

The effect of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Anona squamosa and Tribulus terrestris on the growth of Gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli and Gram positive Staphyloccous epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae bacterial strains was evaluated in vitro by agar well diffusion assay method. The extracts inhibited the growth of all test organisms. Extract of A. squaniosa exhibited greater antibacterial activity than T.terrestris. Gram positive strains were found more sensitive than Gram negative strains. Ethanol extract showed comparatively more inhibitory effect than aqueous extract. Staphyloccous epidermidis was found more sensitive to the leaf extracts of A.squamosa while Streptococcus agalactiae to that of T. terrestris. Zone of inhibition increased with increase in concentration of the extract. The significance of these results is discussed . The results may be of importance in identification of new potential antibacterial compounds in plants.