BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT PLANT JATROPHA CURCAS L.

Abstract

In the present study the effectiveness of Jatropha curcas on inactivation of some microorganisms i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were determined. The filter paper disc method was used for screening of crude ethanolic extract of leaves for antimicrobial activity. The paper discs saturated with extract were placed on the surface of the sterilized nutrient agar medium that had been inoculated with the test organisms by using a sterile swab. The diameters of microbial inhibition zones were measured after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C. According to the methodology used, it was possible to conclude that the ethanolic extract presented antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. No antimicrobial activity was found against Bacillus subtilis. Ethanolic extract of Jatropha leaves presented the largest inhibition zones (i.e. 11mm.) against E. coli.