Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma longa on Human Pathogens and Antibiotics Pattern

Abstract

Plant extracts and biological active compounds are receiving more attention due to antibiotic side effects and bacterial resistance build against antibiotics. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, has been used for thousands of years as a flavouring agent, medicinal herb, antimicrobial, antioxidant and a dyeing agent. In India, it is commonly known as ‘Haldi’ and is broadly cultivated in all parts of India. Microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are considered to be the most resistant species. Therefore; in the present study, twelve different concentrations of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa rhizome were prepared and evaluated antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method. Ethanolic extracts of C. longa rhizome showed good antibacterial activity. Most of bacteria found resistance to antibiotics but these pathogens were sensitive to C. longa rhizome. MIC of E. coli (78mg/ml), Klebsiella pneumoniae (87.77mg/ml), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (75.55mg/ml), Staphylococcus aureus (74.28mg/ml), Streptococcus viridans (80mg/ml) and Enterococcus faecalis (68.88mg/ml) were recorded. This study confirms the efficacy of C. longa extracts as natural antibacterial and suggests the possibility of employing them in drugs for treatment of infectious diseases caused by the test pathogens