Evaluation of Antibacterial activity of Seed Extracts of Sesamum indicum

The present research work was focused on the antibacterial activity of seed extracts of Sesamum indicum. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of seeds prepared from various extraction procedures were evaluated against a Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and a Gram negative bacterial strain, Escherichia coli by agar well diffusion method. Preliminary phytochemical screenings of the extracts were also done. Various concentrations (100 μg/ml, 200 μg/ml and 300 μg/ml) of the extracts were incorporated into the agar wells. A single dose of standard tetracycline (300 μg/ml) was also placed in the well. Both the extracts showed concentration dependant activity against the microbes. The results were analyzed based upon the readings of diameter of zones of inhibition. Both the seed extracts showed better inhibitory activity against gram negative bacteria. The test substances were compared with that of the standard drug tetracycline. The ethanolic extract showed significant activity against the test organisms than that of the aqueous extract. It was concluded that the seed extracts of Sesamum indicum showed better anti bacterial activity and further studies were suggested to isolate the active principles that were responsible for the activity.