IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS LINN (FABACEAE) ON BACTERIA RESPONSIBLE FOR NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS

Abstract

In this study we evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of the seeds of Abrus precatoriusLinn, an herb used traditionally to treat infectious diseases. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used for this work. By the diffusion method in solid, our extract was found active in all the selected strains. S. aaureus was the most sensitive of the three strains tested with an inhibition zone of 15 mm.Moreover, by the macro method of broth dilution, the plant extract showed bactericidal effects against all the pathogens studied. The greatest activity was manifested on S. aureus with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.75 mg/mL. The sensitivity of the bacteria tested justifies the use of this plant in the treatment of infectious diseases.