Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF APIUM GRAVEOLENS AND L. SATIVA AGAINST SELECTIVE PATHOGENS

Jagessar R.* and Beaton S.

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance is a current global problem. This stem from incorrect usage of antimicrobial drugs. Also, synthetic drugs are not environmentally safe and the cost of synthesizing them is an expensive endeavour. With a view to promote green chemistry and reduce antimicrobial resistance, there is a need to use alternative complimentary medicine in natural antimicrobials of which Guyana flora is a good source. In this regards, the antimicrobial properties of A.graveolens (celery) and L.sativa (lettuce) ethanolic and aqueous extracts were tested against selected pathogens: E.coli, S.aureus, K. pneumoniae and C. albicans. Antimicrobial properties were assayed using the disc diffusion method. Here the diameter of zone of inhibition, DZOI was used as plant extracts antimicrobial activity. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant materials were used.Celery ethanolic extract induced the highest DZOI (31.50 mm) against E.coli, whereas zero DZOI was induced by celery aqueous extracts against all four pathogens and lettuce aqueous extract against K. pneumoniae and C. albicans. In general, it was found that celery and lettuce ethanolic extracts were more potent than the corresponding aqueous extract. An exception being lettuce aqueous extract which induce a higher DZOI of of 18.50 mm versus 8.50 mm for the ethanolic extract. The extracts were combined with a view to promote antimicrobial synergistic effects. It was found that combined ethanolic extracts of A.graveolens and L.sativa were indeed more effective that either uncombined ethanolic and aqueous extract. Thus, A.graveolens and L.sativa ethanolic extracts should be effective against E.coli infection, whereas the combination against both E.coli and S.aureus.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, Lactuca. sativa, Apium. graveolens, inhibition zone, Escheria coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans.