Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) against four bacterial strains

For the evaluation of antimicrobial properties two wheat varieties namely Kheri and Pavon 76 were considered and different parts viz. leaf, seed, awn, stem, root and whole plants of these varieties were used for this study. Extracts of methanol and ethanol were used against three gram positive and one gram negative bacteria at concentration levels of 150 μg/μl (T1), 250 μg/μl (T2), 350 μg/μl (T3), 450 μg/μl (T4) in comparison to the antibiotic cefotaxime 10μg. All the extracts showed variable degree of inhibitory zone by using disc diffusion method against tested bacteria. The present study showed that seed and awn of Pavon76 in methanol and ethanol extracts provided a highest zone of inhibition against S. aureus and E. coli while other variety, Kheri showed less inhibition zone against the tested organisms. Here Pavon76 and Kheri methanol extract of stem exhibited higher degree of inhibition zone against E.coli than ethanol extract. For root extract both varieties in methanol showed highest zone of inhibition against S.aureus and E. coli. Whole plant extracts in methanol and ethanol represented highest inhibition zone against E. coli in case of Pavon76. On the other hand, no zone was found for variety Kheri. The inhibitory effect of the extract on the growths of microorganisms could be attributed to the presence of some phytochemical that were present in the plant extract. It is an indication of the broad spectrum antibacterial potential of wheat which makes the plant a candidate for bio-prospecting of antibiotic drugs.