African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Antibacterial properties of Passiflora foetida L. – a common exotic medicinal plant

C. Mohanasundari1, D. Natarajan2*, K. Srinivasan3, S. Umamaheswari4 and A. Ramachandran5
1Department of Microbiology, Kandaswami Kandar’s College, P. Velur, 638 182, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, South India. 2Department of Botany, Periyar E.V.R. College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli 620 023, Tamil Nadu, South India. 3Department of Biology, Eritrea Institute of Technology, Mai Nefhi, Asmara, North East Africa. 4Department of Eco-Biotechnology, School of Environmental Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu, South India. 5Forest Utilization Division, Tamil Nadu Forests Department, Chennai 600 006, Tamil Nadu, South India
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 20 October 2006
  •  Published: 31 December 2007

Abstract

Passiflora foetida L. (stinking passion flower) is an exotic medicinal vine. The antibacterial properties of leaf and fruit (ethanol and acetone) extracts were screened against four human pathogenic bacteria i.e. Pseudomonas putida, Vibrio cholerae, Shigella flexneri and Streptococcus pyogenes by well-in agar method. The results showed the leaf extract having remarkable activity against all bacterial pathogens compared to fruits. This study supports, the traditional medicines (herbal extracts) to cure many diseases like diarrhea, intestinal tract, throat, ear infections, fever and skin diseases.

 

Key words: Passiflora foetida, antibacterial activity, ethanol and acetone extracts, human pathogenic bacteria.