Antibacterial screening of<i> Ficus palmata</i> Forsk. pure latex and its methanolic and ethanolic extracts

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of various extracts of the latex of <i>Ficus palmata</i> Forsk. was studied against two bacteria (<i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>) using disc diffusion method. Methanolic extract of latex showed significant antibacterial activity against both the test organisms. The zone of inhibition by latex was found to be significantly higher than the zone of inhibition shown by tetracycline. The magnitude of antibacterial activity of latex and its extracts found to be more against <i>Escherichia coli</i> (Gram-negative bacterium) as compared to <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Gram-positive bacterium).