In vitro bactericidal and fungicidal activities of various extracts of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigmas from Jammu & Kashmir, India

Antimicrobial activities of methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Croccus sativus L. (saffron) stigmas, were tested against various bacterial strains (Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus) by agar well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentration values of each active extract were also determined. The results showed a strong activity of the petroleum ether and methanolic extracts of saffron stigmas against bacteria and fungi used as test organisms. The results of different antimicrobial assays also indicate that the extracts had significantly higher bactericidal than fungicidal activities (p < 0.05). The results suggest that these extracts can be used in pharmaceutical and food formulations for inhibiting pathogenic bacterial and fungal species. Subjects: Bioscience; Engineering & Technology; Food Science & Technology