Antimicrobial studies on the extracts of Cocculus hirsutus Linn. and Hyptis suaveolens Poit.

Abstract

Extracts of Cocculus hirsutus Linn. and Hyptis suaveolens Poit. were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity by agar disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of these plants were studied using Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli , Serratia marcescens and Aspergillus flavus as test organisms. Petroleum ether extracts of C. hirsutus and H. suaveolens were found to be more effective against Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens and Aspergillus flavus , respectively when compared to other extracts of both the plants. Phytochemical screening of the petroleum ether extract of C. hirsutus and H. suaveolens revealed the presence of alkaloids and steroids, respectively which suggests that these phytoconstituents may be responsible for their antimicrobial activity.