Antimicrobial activity of mangrove plants of Goa, India against human pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

Mangroves grow in saline coastal habitats in the tropical and subtropical regions. Mangrove ecosystem is of a great ecological and socioeconomic significance. Mandovi-Zuari estuarine complex in Goa are well known mangrove forests on the west coast of India. Different species of mangrove plants are found and are abundant along the Mandovi estuary of Goa. Mangrove plants are explored from ancient times as folklore medicine against different bacterial and fungal infections. In this study, three different species of mangrove plants, Acanthus illicifolius, Ceriops tagal and Sonneretia caseolaris were collected from three different stations along the Mandovi estuary at Divar, Ribandar and Old Goa. The solvent extracts of dried and powdered leaves of these mangrove plants were further investigated to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Kliebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis using well diffusion method. The results suggest an idea for further characterization of active compound from the effective mangrove plant, which can be used to control the drug resistant pathogenic bacteria.