Abstract

Vicia faba L., Vaccinium macrocarpon, Punica granatum, Lavandula officinalis, Artemisia absinthium, Linum capitatum and Camellia sinensis were frequently used in our alimentation. In this study, we have tested the antimicrobial activity of their ethanolic and methanolic extracts on some pathogen bacteria, then their ability to in vivo inhibit the growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The phytochemical screening has given the composition of the most active extracts. According to the obtained results, the ethanolic extract of Lavendula officinalis and A. absinthium has shown an inhibition of all the tested bacteria. The ethanolic extract of L. officinalis has given the highest activity against S. pneumoniae followed by the methanolic extracts of C. sinensis and P. granatum. The phytochemical screening showed that the most active extracts contained mainly phenolic compounds.

Key words: Plants, extracts, antimicrobial activity, Streptococcus pneumoniae, phytochemical screening