ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF THE LEAF EXUDATE OF DATURA STRAMONIUM

This study was carried out with an objective to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of leaves of Datura stramonium. The aim of the study is to assess the antimicrobial activity and to determine the zone of inhibition of extracts on some bacterial and fungal strains. In the present study, the microbial activity of methanolic extracts of leaves of Datura stramonium. (an ethnomedicinal plant) was evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against medically important bacterial and fungal strains. The antimicrobial activity was determined in the extracts using agar disc diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts (5, 25, 50, 100, 250 μg/ml) of Datura stramonium were tested against two Gram-positive––Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes; two Gram-negative––Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa human pathogenic bacteria; and three fungal strains––Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus clavatus, Candida albicans. Zone of inhibition of extracts were compared with that of different standards like ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and chloramphenicol for antibacterial activity and nystatin and griseofulvin for antifungal activity. The results showed that the remarkable inhibition of the bacterial growth was shown against the tested organisms. The phytochemical analyses of the plants were carried out. The microbial activity of the Datura stramonium was due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. Hence, these plants can be used to discover bioactive natural products that may serve as leads in the development of new pharmaceuticals research activities. Keywords: - Anti-Microbial agent, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, and Datura stramonium.