US EPA

3697379 

Journal Article 

Antibacterial activity of chloroform and ethanol extracts of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) against multi-drug resistant human pathogens under laboratory conditions 

Alam, MM; Yasmin, M; Nessa, J; Ahsan, CR 

2010 

Yes 

Journal of Medicinal Plant Research
ISSN: 1996-0875 

4 

18 

1901-1905 

WOS:000284282800012 

Chloroform and ethanol extracts of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) were analyzed for antibacterial activity against five food and water borne pathogens, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio cholerae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and one food spoilage bacteria Bacillus subtilis, all of which were previously found to be resistant to different antibiotics. The antibacterial activities of the extracts were determined by disc diffusion and tube dilution methods. All the bacterial strains except E. coli and K. pneumoniae, showed sensitivity to the chloroform extract as well as the bacterial strains except the K. pneumoniae showed sensitivities to ethanol extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of both extracts were also evaluated. Ethanol extract of black cumin was as found to be highly effective for B. subtilis (MIC value 375 mu g/ml), followed by S. aureus (MIC value 1125 mu g/ml). The highest concentration of extract was required for E. coli for complete inhibition of their growth. MIC value for E. coli was 3000 mu g/ml. These results suggest that black cumin seeds may have potential antibacterial activity against multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

Black cumin; multi-drug resistant bacteria; ethanol extract; chloroform extract