EXPLORATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF STEMS OF EUPHORBIA NERIIFOLIA

The antimicrobial efficacy of methanol extract of stem of the plant Euphorbia neriifolia (Family: Euphorbiaceae) was evaluated against selected pathogenic bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATC-2245, Streptococcus aerugenosa U59, Escherichia Coli K88, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi 12, Proeus vulgaris CC-52, Aspergillus niger 36 and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and micro dilution assay methods. Streptomycin and ampicilin were used as standard antibacterial drugs whilst amphotericin B was used as standard antifungal drug. Results of both assays ensured that the stem possess significant antimicrobial activity in terms of antibacterial and antifungal activity. Results are comparable to that of standard drugs selected. It is also evident from results that methanol extract showed better activity against pathogenic bacteria than fungi.