SCREENING OF VARIOUS EXTRACTS OF THE FRUITS OF CUCUMIS SATIVUS LINN. FOR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the various extracts of the fruits of Cucumis sativus Linn. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial activities of petroleum ether (40-60ºC), benzene, chloroform, ethanol and water extracts of the fruits of Cucumis sativus (L) have been investigated against both bacteria and fungi using the disc diffusion method. Results: The results of investigation showed that ethanol, and aqueous extract showed inhibitory effect on the growth of all the isolates. There was no inhibitory effect of the petroleum ether, benzene, and chloroform extract against the test organisms. Ethanolic extract of the fruits of Cucumis sativus had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200 µg/ml against three gram positive bacteria, viz., Baccillus cereus, Baccillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecalis, three gram negative bacteria, viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenos, Proteaus vulgaris and the two fungi, Candida albicans, Asparagillus flavans. Streptomycin, and Clotrimazole were used as standards for bacteria and fungi respectively. Conclusion: The results shows that the ethanolic extract of Cucumis sativus can be a potential source of natural antimicrobial agent.