Absence of antimicrobial activity of Euphorbia milii molluscicidal latex

Abstract

Introduction: Euphorbia milii latex has been used as herbal medicine and proved
to be a potent plant molluscicide. Materials and Methods: The susceptibility of
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to E. milii molluscicidal
latex was evaluated by assays in the agar well diffusion method and tubes dilution, to
determine the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration.
Results: Latex in natura (fresh) and lyophilized in a maximum viable concentration
of 100 mg/L did not show any inhibitory effect on the growth of the bacterial strains
tested. Conclusion: Although it has been effective as a molluscicide, this latex presented
a total absence of antimicrobial activity in the two forms and concentrations tested.