Comparative antimicrobial activities of Musa paradisiaca and Bougainvillea glabra flowers

The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of crude extract of locally available plants, Musa paradisiaca (flower) and Bougainvillea glabra (flower) on bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus niger). The inhibitory effect of both the test plants was determined by agar disc diffusion method. Test organisms inhibited by both the flowers extract. The extract of Musa paradisiaca flower produced wider zones of inhibition against Candida spp. than the Bougainvillea glabra flower. The minimum inhibitory concentration was also evaluated for the extracts. Results show that these flowers are interesting source of antimicrobial and also antifungal agents.