Selective Antimicrobial properties of Phyllanthus acidus leaf extract against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using Stokes Disc diffusion, Well diffusion, Streak plate and a dilution method

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of Phyllanthus acidus was investigated against S.aureus (gram+ve), E.coli (gram-ve) and C.albicans using the Stokes disc diffusion, the Pour plate, Well diffusion and Streak plate methods. The solvent type extracts were obtained by three extractions with hexane, CH2Cl2, EtOAc and CH3CH2OH respectively. Solvents were removed in vacuo to yield viscous oils and paste which were made up to a concentration of 0.035g in 0.01L(10 mL)of the respective solvents. These were tested in varying volumes of 0.2-0.6 ml/plate. The solvents were used as control whereas ampicillin and nystatin were used as references for bacteria and fungal species respectively. The solvents had no effect on the microorganisms whereas ampicillin and nystatin inhibited microbial growth. Phyllanthus acidus showed antimicrobial inhibitory activity at 0.18mg/10mL plate of medium with activity most prominent with the ethanol extracts and negligible with the hexane. This study suggests that the ethanol extracts of Phyllanthus acidus ,can be used as herbal medicines in the control of E.coli and S.aureus following clinical trials. [Nature and Science. 2008;6(2):24-38]. ISSN: 1545-0740.