Abstract

The antibacterial activity of the methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Fagonia cretica L., Peganum harmala L., Tribulus terrestris L., Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf and Ricinus communis L., were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoni and Salmonella typhi. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of F. cretica, P. harmala and C. tinctoria revealed the presence of saponins, phlobatannins, anthraquinones and alkaloids. Tannins and flavonoids were found in C. tinctoria and R. communis. Glycosides were found in F. cretica and P. harmala, while terpenoids and phenolics occurred in P. harmala. Group tests revealed that the methanolic and n-hexane extract of F. cretica, P. harmala, T. terrestris, C. tinctoria andR. communis had OH, carboxylic and phenolic groups. The methanolic and n-hexane extracts of F. cretica, P. harmala, T. terrestris, C. tinctoria and R. communis showed the absence of aldehyde and ketone group. The ability of the methanolic and n-hexane extracts of F. cretica, P. harmala, T. terrestris, C. tinctoria and R. communis to inhibit the growth of different bacteria has shown their broad spectrum antibacterial potential, which may be used in the management of microbial infections.

Key words: Zygophyllaceae, Euphorbiaceae, antibacterial activity, extract, phytochemical screening.