STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF LIME JUICE AGAINST VIBRIO CHOLERAE

The antimicrobial effect of crude extract of lime ( Citrus aurantifolia ) was assayed against different bacterial species by agar well diffusion method. The highest inhibition zone of 28 mm was observed in Vibrio cholerae followed by Enterobacter species (9mm), Citrobacter species (8mm) and Escherichia coli (8mm). Shigella , Salmonella and Klebsiella species were found resistant. So the study was mainly focused on V. cholerae . Different concentrations of the crude extract such as 75%, 50%, 25% and 5% were tested to calculate the minimum amount that inhibits the bacteria which showed the zone of inhibition (ZOI) as 31mm, 24mm, 17mm and 9mm respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged from 6.25 mg/l to 50 mg/l. This result suggests that citrus fruit like limes are effective in preventing infection with Vibrio species. Key words: Agar well; Crude extract; Minimum bactericidal concentration; Zone of inhibition. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v8i8.3847 Scientific World Vol.8(8) 2010 pp.44-46