The aqueous and organic extracts of Lippia citriodora aerial parts were tested for total phenolic content and antibacterial activity against gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris) bacteria. Acetone extract of L.citriodora exhibited most significant activity, Methanol and ethanol extracts showed moderate activities, whereas a mild growth inhibition was observed with Chloroform, Diethyl ether and Chloroform-methanol (3:1) extracts against all the bacterial species studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration (0.01 mg mL-1) of acetone extract showed that the fraction was most active against all bacterial species, especially gram positive bacteria. Total phenolic content was found to be high in methanol extract compared to other extracts.
Lippia citriodora, phenolic content, antibacterial activity, Gel diffusion, MIC
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