Research Article
Kelly Osezele Elimian, Ebakota
Abstract
The antibacterial efficacy of crude aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Ageratum conyzoides L. against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were determined using disc diffusion method. All the extracts (aqueous, ethanol, methanol extracts) showed marked antibacterial activity. Results obtained revealed that methanolic extracts were more potent inhibiting all isolates with zones of inhibition ranging from 7 mm – 17 mm for A. conyzoides L. and 9 mm – 19 mm for O. gratissimum. Ethanolic extracts showed 7 mm – 16 mm for both plants. Aqueous extracts showed the least with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 7mm – 12 mm for A. conyzoides L. and 6 mm – 10 mm for O. gratissimum. When the antibacterial activity of each of the plant extracts were compared for aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts, there was no observable difference noticed in their spectra of activity. The efficacy of both plants towards inhibition of the micro organisms increased with increased concentration. The antibacterial activity of the extracts could be enhanced if the components were purified. These plants therefore, are potential sources of new drugs for treating infections caused by these clinical pathogens.