Ethanolic Noni ( Morinda citrifolia

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic noni leaf extract (ENLE) without and with chlorophyll removal by sedimentation method were comparatively investigated. Total chlorophyll content was reduced by 82% in the top fraction (CR-ENLE) collected after 24 h at 4 °C as compared to that of ENLE. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were lower in the bottom fraction rich in chlorophyll (Chlo-ENLE) than others (P < 0.05). Based on the microbiological limit, the shelf-life of striped catfish slices pre-treated with 400 mg kg⁻¹ C-R-ENLE was extended to 9 days as compared to the 3 days recorded for the control (without pre-treatment). Slices treated with CR-ENLE had lower lipid oxidation than those treated with ENLE during refrigerated storage (P < 0.05). The sedimentation process was therefore a potential green method for producing ENLE having improved antioxidant and antimicrobial activities without green colour. It can be used as a natural additive for shelf-life extension of fish slices

The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants against beta-lactam-resistant bacteria

BACKGROUND: In effort to identify novel bacterial agents, this study was initiated to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of 17 crude extracts from 12 medicinal plants against beta-lactam-resistant bacteria. METHODOLOGY: The antimicrobial activities of plant extracts were evaluated against clinically proved beta-lactam-resistant bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus sp.) and reference strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 29751, E. aerogenes ATCC 13048, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790) by using disc-diffusion and agar-dilution assays. RESULTS: The crude plant extracts demonstrated broad spectrum activity against all bacteria tested with inhibition zones in the range of 8-30 mm. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of different plant extracts against the tested bacteria were found to range from or= 10 mg ml(-1). The most active plant extracts were from Dortenia picta and Bridelia micrantha (MIC: 1.25-10 mg ml(-1)) on beta-lactam-resistant Gram-negative bacilli and the extracts from B. micrantha, Mallotus oppositifolius, Garcinia lucida, Garcinia. kola, Campylospermum densiflorum (leaves) and C. zenkeri (root) on beta-lactam-resistant Gram-positive cocci (MIC: <or= 0.3-5 mg ml(-1)). CONCLUSION: Of the 17 plant extracts studied, seven showed good antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria. The stem bark of B. micrantha and the leaves of D. picta were most active towards beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacilli. This study shows that medicinal plants could be sources of compounds which can be used to fight against beta-lactam resistant bacteria