ANTIBACTERIAL STUDIES ON BENINCASA HISPIDA AND NIGELLA SATIVA OIL

Abstract

Fixed oil of seeds of Benincasa hispida and Nigella sativa was found active against various resistant pathogens of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The maximum zone of inhibition was observed against S.aureus (24mm) for Nigella sativa but when 1:1 combination of both the plants was used, good activity against all the tested pathogens i.e., M. luteus, E. coli, S. aureus, P. multocida, P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis (20.31 to 18.61mm) was observed proving seeds as a strong candidate for formulations based on these oils to treat various diseases caused by these resistant pathogens.