Absence of antibiotic activities of Cenchrus setigerus and cenchrus ciliaris seed extracts in different polar solvents

Abstract

Aim: The aim of present study is to investigate the antibiotic activity of seeds of Cenchrus setigerus
and Cenchrus ciliaris extracts, in order to use them as a possible source of new anti‑microbial
substances against important human pathogens. Materials and Methods: Crude extracts of
seeds of both species of Cenchrus grass were evaluated against some important G‑ve bacteria.
Escherichia coli, Raoultella planticola, Enterobacter aerogenes and one fungus Aspergillus flavus.
The dried and powdered seeds were successively extracted with hexane, toluene, isopropyl
alcohol, acetone and ethanol using the soxhlet assembly. The antimicrobial activity assay
was done by both disc diffusion and serial dilution methods. Results: The results indicate
that all the extracts, in different polar solvents did not show any antibacterial activity against
R. planticola or any antifungal activity against A. flavus. Conclusion: All extracts in the
different polar solvents did not have or had very less antibacterial and antifungal activities.