Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of two different extracts of Jordanian plants: a preliminary study

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of three Jordanian plants [Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha arvensis and Thymus capitatus] were studied for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, C and ida albicans, C and ida tropicalis and Trichosporon cutaneum. The antimicrobial activity was detected using filter paper disc diffusion method. The ethanolic extract of R. officinalis and T. capitatus inhibited the growth of all microorganisms used, while their aqueous extracts were active against S. aureus, B. subtilis and E. coli. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of arvensis inhibited the growth of S. aureus, B. subtilis and E. coli

Volatile oil produced by microbial infected Rosmarinus officinalis callus and suspension cultures

Leaf fragments of Rosmarinus officinalis were grown in a media supplemented with indoleacetic [IAA] or 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2, 4-D], in both the presence and absence of benzyladenine [BA]. The leaf fragments showed callus growth after the third week of culturing. A high level of BA was correlated to callus browing. Culturing of rosemary on media supplemented with 2, 4-D enhanced callus formation. Callus from rosemary were transferred to Murashige and Skoog [MS] liquid medium supplemented with 2, 4-D, and BA. Cineole and beta- pinene were identified using TLC. Both callus and cell suspension were found to be infected with a single type of bacteria strain, which was identified as Pseudomonas mallei. Growth inhibition of the bacteria was examined using 10 different antibiotics. Chloramphenicol, Cefoxitin, Ceftriaxone and Tazocin showed pronounced inhibitory effects, while the other six antibiotics exhibited little or no inhibitory effects