A Study on Antimicrobial Potential of Tridax Procumbens (l.) against Clinical Isolates

In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of Tridax procumbens plant parts (leaf and stem) were investigated by agar well diffusion method. The petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant parts were tested against two bacterial strains i.e., Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and two fungal strains i.e., Trichoderma reesei and Fusarium oxysporium. The results of antibacterial activity showed that methanol extract was effective and aqueous extract was devoid of any significant activity. Methanol extract of Tridax procumbens showed maximum antifungal activity. The results lend credence to the folkloric use of this plant in treating microbial infection and showed that Tridax procumbens leaves and stem could be exploited for new potent antimicrobial agents. INTRODUCTION: In recent years attention has been devoted to novel molecules derived from plant sources which has replaced vast chemically broad spectrum antibiotics. The demand of plant based therapeutics seems to be increasing due to their incredible ventures, being non narcotic, having no side effects, easily available at affordable prices. Plants used in traditional medicine contain a wide range of ingredients that can be used to treat chronic as well as infectious diseases 1 . Over the years, these herbal drugs have been shown to be effective 2 . The antimicrobial activities and the results obtained from these scientific studies have aided in the rationalization of medicinal use of these plants 3 .