Abstract

This research work was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial activities of different solvents extracted samples of Linum usitatissimum against seven bacterial and one fungal pathogen. Three concentrations (0.66, 1.00 and 1.33 mg dics^-1) each of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, butanol and distilled water were used. Analysis of the data revealed that the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited equally by butanol and ethyl acetate extracted samples that is, 56% when tested by disc diffusion method. Similarly, ethyl acetate and butanol extracted samples reduced the growth of Bacillus cereus by 44 and 64% respectively. The data further suggest that Erwinia carotovora was inhibited 42% by ethyl acetate and 65% by butanol extracted samples.

Key words: Antimicrobial, solvent, Linum, disc diffusion.