Abstract

Raj K. Salar* and Suchitra

Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and organic solvent extracts of different parts (roots, stems, leaves and fruits) of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. and Wendl. against Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria and a fungus was evaluated. Plant extracts of S. xanthocarpum were prepared in distilled water and in organic solvents, viz. ethanol, benzene, acetone and methanol. Agar well diffusion technique was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of various extracts against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis), Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and the fungus Aspergillus niger. The diameter of zone of inhibition was taken as an indicator of antimicrobial effect. Except aqueous extracts of different parts of S. xanthocarpum , extracts prepared in organic solvents showed antimicrobial activity against the test organisms. A strong inhibition of P. aeruginosa was caused by the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of S. xanthocarpum. Thus, S. xanthocarpum could be considered as a potential source of natural antimicrobials.