Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Buckinghamia Celsissima Leaf Extracts

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of a methanolic extract of Buckinghamia celsissima leaves was investigated by disc diffusion assay against a panel of bacteria and fungi. B. celsissima leaf extractinhibited the growth of 5 of the 14 bacteria tested (36%). Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were both affected by B. celsissima extract although Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible. 3 of 11 Gram-negative (27%) and 2 of the 3 Gram-positive bacteria tested (67%) had their growth inhibited by B. celsissima extract. B. celsissima leaf extractdisplayed antifungal activity towards Candida albicans when tested by disc diffusion assay and inhibited the growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.The antibacterial activity of B. celsissima leaf extractwas further investigated by growth time course assays which showed significant growth inhibition in cultures of Bacilluscereus,Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Aeromonas hydrophilia within 1 h.