SCREENING FOR FOLKLORE FOR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Ekta Menghani and Sita kumari sharma

Methanolic extracts of two Indian medicinal plants Citrullus colocynthis, and Citrus medica, were examined for their antimicrobial potential against selected bacteria and fungi. The purpose of screening is to justify and authenticate the use of Indian medicinal plants in ethno medicinal or folklore as traditional treasure to cure various ailments. In present investigations attempts were made to screen the Indian medicinal plants as antimicrobial agent. The extracts were tested against selected test bacteria and fungi through disc diffusion assay where Tetracycline and Mycostatin were used as standard. Indian medicinal plants have a traditional background that they have potentials to use as antimicrobial agents. The results showed that alcoholic extract possess good antimicrobial activity against selected test bacteria and fungi. The present results therefore offer a scientific basis for traditional use of the various extract of Citrullus colocynthis, and Citrus medica.