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Screening of some plants from Northern Argentina for their antimicrobial activity
Author(s) -
Salvat,
Antonnacci,
Giuseppino Fortunato,
M.D. Suárez,
Godoy
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2001.00923.x
Subject(s) - antimicrobial , staphylococcus aureus , enterococcus faecium , microbiology and biotechnology , klebsiella pneumoniae , minimum inhibitory concentration , enterococcus , escherichia coli , pseudomonas aeruginosa , biology , klebsiella pneumonia , antibacterial activity , gentamicin , chemistry , antibiotics , traditional medicine , bacteria , biochemistry , medicine , genetics , gene
Aims: Screening of antimicrobial activity in 25 plant species from Northern Argentina. Methods and Results: Inhibition of microbial growth was measured by a microplate assay with an oxidation–reduction indicator (Alamar Blue). Test organisms were: Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhimurium , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium. Weak inhibitory activities (MIC=0·5 mg dry matter ml −1 ) were found in methanolic extracts of Rivina humilis , Crateva tapia , Funastrum claucum and Schinopsis balansae . Stronger bacteriostatic power was detected in Vassobia breviflora (MIC=0·25 mg ml −1 against Staphylococcus aureus , and 0·5 mg ml −1 against Enterococcus faecium ). This activity was purified five‐fold by extraction with dichloromethane, and it was found equally effective against susceptible or antibiotic‐resistant strains of Staph. aureus . In addition, the purified extract was synergistic with gentamicin, and it was bactericidal at 24 h, with a concentration of 0·25 mg ml −1 . Conclusions: There is a significant antimicrobial activity in Vassobia breviflora . Significance and Impact of the Study: Further studies will be required to disclose the potential importance of these findings.