Abstract

The present work aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Coriaria myrtifolia’s leaves against Agrobacterium sp. and Agrobacterium tumefaciens “plant pathogen responsible for crown gall” in an objective to identify novel antimicrobial agents and to put forward efforts of proving plant’s extracts scientific credibility, and determining their spectrum of activity. The bacteria tested were found profoundly sensitive to both of the C. myrtifolia extracts. The extent of inhibition was more important by methanolic extract than by aqueous one. The average diameter of inhibition zones ranged from 10.67 to 15.33 mm and 12.68 to 18 mm for aqueous and methanolic extract, respectively. This study was the first to report the antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from the leaf of C. myrtifolia against Agrobacterium sp. and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. It can be concluded that the observed antibacterial characteristics of C. myrtifolia indicate that it might be a promising antimicrobial agent.

Key words: Antibacterial, bacteria, plant extracts, Coriaria myrtifolia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens.