Effectiveness of ethanolic and methanolic Morus nigra extracts on microbial strains

Abstract

The effectiveness of Morus nigra as natural antimicrobial agents were assessed by the ability of the crude extract to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus brasiliensis, and Candida albicans. Different parts (fruit, root, leaves and stem) of M. nigra were extracted by maceration using different solvents; ethanol and methanol. The antimicrobial assays were carried out by paper disc diffusion method. M. nigra of all part extracted in ethanol were able to inhibit the growth of test microorganisms compared to, when extracted in methanol. Root and fruit extracts of M. nigra were able to inhibit the test microorganisms. The analytical analysis using HPLC-DAD was able to identify the presence of flavonoids rutin, quercetin, apigenin and kaempferol in crude extracts that correspond to inhibition zones observed. Hence, the results suggested that crude extracts from M. nigra root and fruit have antimicrobial properties to prevent the growth of test microorganisms.