Antibacterial activity of methanol seed extract of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton was tested using agar disc diffusion method against 10 human pathogenic bacteria (Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus-β-haemolytica, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, and Sarcina lutea as well as Gram negative: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, and Shigella sonnei). Methanol extract inhibited the growth of all the tested bacteria having various degrees of inhibition zones. Highest inhibitory activity was observed against Salmonella typhi (16.83 mm) with lowest MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) values viz. 25 mg/ ml and 50 mg/ml, respectively in gram negative bacteria and the same was observed against Streptococcus-β-haemolytica (15.5 mm) with the MIC and MBC value of 50 mg/ml in gram positive bacteria. On the basis of this experimental result, it can be concluded that methanol seed extract of E. cardamomum could be considered for further isolation and evaluation as therapeutic antimicrobial.

methanol seed extract; cardamom; antibacterial assay

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia