Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of resin of Spondias pinnata Kurz. (Anacardiaceae) was evaluated on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,Enterobacter sakazakii and Acinetobacter baumannii. Resin extracts were made in different organic solvents. In vitro antimicrobial activities of resin extracts were studied by disc diffusion method and macrodilution assays.  The microorganism most susceptible to the resin extract was found to be B. subtilis, a Gram (+) bacteria. The extracts did not inhibit the growth of Gram (-) bacteria and S. cerevisiae, a fungus.  The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were between 0.5 – 1.0 mg/ml for B. subtilis with extracts obtained in petroleum ether. The thermal stability tests showed that the antimicrobial activity found in the extracts was heat stable. In the phytochemical tests, phytosterols and flavonoids gave positive results; carbohydrates and fixed oil also may be present. Saponins, tannins and proteins appeared to be absent. Bioautography experiments revealed the presence, in resin extracts, of one major component and four minor components which inhibited the growth of Gram (+) bacteria.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, antibacterial activity, MIC, MBC, flavonoids.