Antimicrobial activity of Tunisian Euphorbia paralias L

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the potential antimicrobial activity of Euphorbia paralias L. (Euphorbiaeae) leaves and stems extracts. Methods The antimicrobial activity was tested against six microbial strains Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Salmonella enterica CIP 8039, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028 by two different methods, the disk method and the dilution method. Results Our results showed the important antimicrobial activity of the chloroform extract of the stems towards the majority of the strains by using both methods. Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive strain (MIC = MBC = 15 μg/mL). Conclusion Thus, some extracts of Euphorbia paralias can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by microbes.