Antibacterial and antifungal activity of latex of euphorbia antiquorum
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Euphorbia antiquorum is a large shrub or small tree belonging to the largest and the most diverse
family in the plant kingdom, Euphorbiaceae. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the
antimicrobial properties of latex of E. antiquorum on certain microbes. The methanolic extract of the
latex was prepared. The extracts were tested for their antibacterial activity against some Gram positive
bacteria, Baciiius subtiiis, Staphyiococcus aureus, Shigeiia fiexneri and Gram negative bacteria
Escherichia coii and Klebsieiia pneumonia and antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi Candida
aibicans, Aspergiiius fiavus, Aspergiiius fumigatus, Rhizopus stoionifer and Mucor indicus. The results
revealed that the latex showed minimum inhibition only to £. coii and S. fiexneri. Latex did posses a
strong antifungal activity against deadly pathogens namely C. aibicans, A. fiavus, A. fumigatus and not
to Rhizopus Mucor. The results suggest that the E. antiquorum latex extract account both for the
antibacterial and antifungal properties and has a potential for use as an antimicrobial agent.