Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of different root extracts of Hermannia geniculata against human pathogens of medical importance
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Date
2015-12
Authors
Mojau, Pheello Jeremia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus)
Abstract
Hermannia geniculata has been used widely as traditional medicine for treatment
agai nst infectious human pathogens. The aim of the study was to determine the antibacterial
and anti fungal activities of H. geniculata root extracts and their fractio ns against 16 microbial
strains. The dried plant materials were extracted separately in 150 ml of methanol, acetone,
ethanol, water and 150 ml (50/50) of hydro-ethanol. Acetone extract inhibited the growth of
microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 1.56 mg/ml against
all the tested strains except for Salmonella typhimurium and Candida rugosa at the
concentration of 6.25 mg/ml. The ethanol, hydro-ethanol and methanol extracts inhibited
bacterial growth with MIC values ranging from3. l 3 mg/ml to 12.50 mg/ml, while water extract
had MIC of 12.50 mg/ml against all tested bacterial and fungal strains. Acetone extract had
maximum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranging from 1.56 to 3.13 mg/ml against
most microorganisms. Butanol fraction of acetone extract had MIC of 0.78 mg/ml against
Staphylococcus aureus (OK.2b) and Staphylococcus a11re11s (ATCC 6538), whilst the ethyl
acetate had the lowest MBC of 1.56 mg/ ml against S. aureus (OK.lb), S. aureus (ATCC 6538),
and Streptococcus .faecalis. The extracts and their respective fractions displayed similar
inhibitory properties which are indica tions that either the crude extract or their fractions could
be used to manage infections assoc iated with bac teria and fungi.
Description
Keywords
Medicinal plants, Traditional medicine, Anti-infective agents, Dissertation (M.Sc. Botany (Plant Sciences))--University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), 2015