Antimicrobial efficacy of extracts from Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K.Schum. against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of three solvent extracts (ethanol, petroleum ether & chloroform) of three different plant parts of Alpinia purpurata (leaves, roots and rhizomes) was studied in vitro against six reference strains of bacteria and four pathogenic fungi using disc diffusion assay. Ethanolic extracts of rhizomes showed a wide spectrum of activity against all tested bacteria, but no notable activity against any fungi except Candida albicans. Highest inhibition zone of (14.4 0.4 mm) was recorded for the ethanolic extracts of rhizomes against Enterobacter aerogens. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts did not show any highlighting results. The antimicrobial potential of rhizomes of A. purpurata is well substantiated than any other parts tested.