Exploration of Antimicrobial Potential of Methanol and Water Extract of Seeds of Swietenia Macrophylla (Family: Meliaceae), To Substantiate Folklore Claim

The antimicrobial efficacy of methanol and water extracts of seeds of the plant Swietenia macrophylla (Family: Meliaceae) was evaluated against selected pathogenic bacterial strains (Bacillus cereus MTCC 430, Klebsiella penumoniae MTCC 109, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 424, Escherichia  coli MTCC 443, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96, Salmonella typhimurium MTCC 98, Micrococcus luteus MTCC 106) and fungal stains (Candida albicans MTCC 183, Cryptococcus albidus MTCC 2661, Aspergillus niger MTCC 16404, Aspergillus flavus MTCC 1973). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and micro dilution assay methods. Streptomycin and gentamicin were used as standard antibacterial drugs whilst fluconazole was used as standard antifungal drug. Results of both assays showed that the seeds 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 than that of water extract.