Evaluation of Extracts of Leaves of <I>Crinum jagus</I> for Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

Plants have been used in ethno-medicine for ages in the treatment of various diseases. In the current study, the leaves of C. jagus are investigated for antimicrobial activities. The leaves were dried and extracted successively with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The concentrated extracts were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebisidlae pneumonae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer at concentrations between 6.25 and 200 mg/ml using the agar diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was also determined. The percentage yields obtained were 0.92 %, 1.20 % and 25.2 % for the hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts respectively. The zones of inhibition of the organisms by the extracts generally increased with the concentrations. The methanol extract showed the best activity of the three extracts tested. The methanol extract had values ranging between 20 mm and 26 mm against the bacteria at 200 mg/ml. This extract also showed values between 18 mm and 20 mm against the fungi at 200 mg/ml. The lowest MICs values (of 2.5 mg/ml) were obtained against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. typhi. The polar constituents in the leaves of the plant are likely responsible for the antimicrobial properties observed. None of the extracts showed activity comparable to those of the standard drugs, however the methanol extract showed some potential as a source of antimicrobial compounds. 
 Keywords: Crinum jagus, antimicrobial, Agar diffusion, MIC