Investigation On The Antibacterial Activity Of The Aqueous And Ethanolic Extracts Of The Leaves Of <i>Boerhavia diffusa</i> L.

Abstract

A preliminary investigation on the antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Boerhavia diffusa L. leaves on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was carried out.  The sensitivity pattern of the test bacteria determined by the agar well diffusion method was found to show varied degree of inhibition at different concentrations of the extracts. The zones of inhibition produced by the aqueous extract ranged from 12.0mm to 19.0mm, while that for ethanolic extract ranged from 11.0mm to 23.0mm.  Results showed that E. coli displayed the highest susceptibility in ethanolic extract (14.0mm – 23.0mm) followed by S. aureus (14.0mm – 19.0mm), with P. aeruginosa displaying the least susceptibility (11.0mm – 18.0mm).  In aqueous extract, P. aeruginosa showed the highest susceptibility (17.0mm – 19.0mm), followed by S. aureus (16.0mm – 18.0mm) with E. coli displaying the lowest susceptibility (12.0mm – 17.0mm).  From the results obtained, ethanol and aqueous extracts were found to show the highest antibacterial activities against E. coli and P. aeruginosa respectively and thus recommended for use as solvent for extraction of this plant leaves when it is to be used for antibacterial activity against the 2 test bacteria