ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CASSIA FISTULA AND BAUHINIA VARIEGATA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

Present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of two commonly available medicinal plants Cassia fistula (Amaltas) and Bauhinia variegata (Kachnar) leaf oil against the commonly pathogenic bacteria (Proteus Vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella newport and Salmonella stanley) and fungi (Rhizopus stolnifer, Pencillium digitatum, Pencillium notatum and Aspergillus niger). Leaf extract was by isolated steam distillation using Clevenger apparatus. The antibacterial activity was tested by paper disc diffusion method. Nutrient agar medium was used throughout the experiment for maintain the culture and also for testing. Penicillin and tetracycline were used for comparison of antibacterial activities. 5 ml of sterilize nutrient agar was poured in sterilized petri plates and allowed to cool under standard conditions. The Tubes were incubated with the bacteria at room temperature for 48 to 72 hours depending on the optimum growth of fungi. Mycostatin was used as standard for comparison of antifungal activities. Based on the results of the present findings it my suggested that leaf extract and its oil could used against the bacterial and fungal activities.