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Antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> (Fam. Labiatae)


KC Ofokansi
MU Adikwu
CO Esimone
NM Nwodo

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum was evaluated against isolates of E. coli, S, aureus. P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis using agar-diffusion assay. Extraction was achieved using maceration method and the extract further fractionated by column chromatography. The antibacterial properties of both the extract and the column fractions were separately determined against the test isolates. Results of the antibacterial screening revealed that the extract of O. gratissimum exhibited some degree of antibacterial activity against isolates of E. coli and B. subtilis but showed no activity against isolates of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The column fractions (FA- FE), however, showed no antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms. The probable antimicrobial activity of the plant is likely to be associated with its volatile oil content.



Key words: Ocimum gratissimum, antibacterial activity, leaf extract, column fractions.



Bio-Research Vol.1(1) 2003: 35-42

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2705-3822
print ISSN: 1596-7409