Assessment of The Antibacterial Susceptibility of Ocimum basilicum

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2022 Aug 31;68(8):96-101. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2022.68.8.17.

Abstract

The current study was designed to assess the antibacterial activities of an ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum). Using disc diffusion and direct contact methods, the extracts were tested in vitro against three bacterial strains. The direct contact test was used and compared with the agar diffusion test. The optical density was measured using a spectrophotometer to collect data. The results showed that methanol extracts of plant parts of O. basilcum leaves contained tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and steroids, whereas alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids. In contrast, O. basilcum seeds contained saponins, flavonoids, and steroids. The O. basilicum stems contained saponins and flavonoids, O. basilucum had antibacterial activity against the identified bacteria. The plant extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The result revealed that the Ocimum basilicum leaves were more potent than seeds and stems. Ocimum basilicum ethanol extract combined with established conventional antibiotics may enhance their antimicrobial properties, giving rise to synergistic effects against clinically important bacterial species.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteria
  • Escherichia coli
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Ocimum basilicum*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves
  • Saponins* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Ethanol
  • Flavonoids
  • Saponins