Antimicrobial activity ofVetiveria zizanoidesagainst some pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Abstract

Antimicrobial activity of root and shoot of an aromatic plant Vetiveria zizanioides (recently reclassified as Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty), on two pathogenic bacteria E.coli (MTCC 443) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 737) and two potent pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformens were studied. The root extract showed larger zone of inhibition than leaf extract. The maximum zones of inhibition were found to be 30 mm against S. aureus and 33 mm in C. albicans and minimum zone of inhibition were found to be 24 mm against E.coli and 28 mm in C.neoformens using root extracts. But in leaf extract the results showed that the maximum zone of inhibition was found to be 22 mm and 32 mm against E.coli and C.neoformens respectively. The results of MIC of root and leaf fractions against pathogens were 10 mg/ml and IC50 of these fractions varied between 5 – 7.5 mg/ml. The results showed that the extracts of vetiver are pharmacologically important that could be applied for human ailments.