Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of solvent extracts from different parts of Daucus crinitus Desf.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to examine the phytochemicals present in different aqueous and organic extracts from different organs of Daucus crinitus Desf. and to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical screening was done to characterize the secondary metabolites in various solvent extracts, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated by agar disk diffusion and broth microdilution to determine inhibition zone diameters and MICs. A remarkable antimicrobial effect was observed in organic extracts of stems and seeds (MIC = 0.31-0.83 mg/ml on S. aureus, B. cereus, and C. albicans) containing many phytochemical families such as coumarins, flavonoids, reducing sugars, steroids, tannins, and terpenes. Daucus crinitus may be a good source of bioactive molecules endowed with antimicrobial activity.