Antimicrobial Activity of Terminalia catappa Extracts Against Some Pathogenic Microbial Strains

The methanol, acetone and N, N-dimethylformamide extracts of Terminalia catappa L. leaf were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity. Piperacillin and gentamicin were used as standards for antibacterial assay, while nystatin and flucanazole were used as standards for antifungal assay. 91 clinically important strains were used for the study which were both clinical isolates as well as identified strains. The antimicrobial activity of all the extracts was determined by agar disc diffusion method. The antibacterial activity was more pronounced against bacteria than fungal strains. The Gram positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram negative bacteria. The methanol extract showed best antibacterial activity. T. catappa leaf extracts showed better antibacterial activity than commercially used antibiotics.