INVESTIGATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS) UNDER SOME PARAMETERS

Abstract

The antimicrobial effect of aqueous extract of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) on some isolated microorganisms under varying parameters was investigated. Aqueous extract of lemongrass was prepared and its antimicrobial effect was evaluated against isolated bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus) and fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans) at varying temperature (40, 60 and 80⁰C) and concentration (10^-1, 10^-2, 10^-4, 10^-8 and 10^-16 mol/L) of the lemongrass aqueous extract shows that the extract was resisted by Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. The aqueous C. citratus was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and this inhibition increases as the concentration of the aqueous extract increase irrespective of the temperature of extraction. The aqueous extract of C. citratus is a tremendous antimicrobial substance especially towards Staphylococcus aureus.