THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TAMARIND (TAMARINDUS INDICA) LEAVES

Abstract

This study is comparative-experimental work. It was conducted in National Center for Research (Sudan) during the period from 28^th of August to 20^th December 2013 to investigate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica leaves In vitro using diffusion method. Tamarindus indica belongs to Super division Spermatophytes (Seed plants) of the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae).

To evaluate the scientific basis for the use of the plant, The leaves was collected from Acacia  Forest Trees in Khartoum and extracted using sterile water as a solvent, the antimicrobial activities of extracts of the leaves was evaluated. Serial concentrations MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) of the extract were tested against Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi, Candida albicans and  Aspergillus niger then comparing the results obtained with standard antibiotic Gentamicin and antifungal Clotrimazole. Furthermore, the combined effect of the extract with Gentamicin and Clotrimazole was tested.

The results indicate that the aqueous extract has promising antimicrobial activity against gram positive, gram negative bacteria and fungi. The MIC shows increase in the zone of inhibition when increasing the concentration. In addition, the combination of extract with Gentamicin showed synergistic effect with Salmonella paratyphi while Gentamicin and Clotrimazole antagonistic effects with Pseudomonas ariogenosa and Candida albicans respectively.

Key words: Tamarindus indica, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, minimum inhibitory concentration.