Antimicrobial Activity of Senna alata and Phyllanthus amarus

2 Abstract: Senna alata and Phyllanthus amarus were evaluated in-vitro for their antimicrobial effectiveness on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. Ethanol and water extracts of S. alata and P. amarus were comparatively and selectively effective on test organisms. The best inhibitory zone was recorded in water extract of S. alata against A. niger with 27.2 mm while 10.1 mm was recorded as the least zone of inhibition against S. typhimurium. P. amarus ethanol and water extracts recorded the best antibacterial activity against S. aureus (20.2 mm) and E. coli (15.3 mm) while the best antifungal ethanol extract of P. amarus was recorded for A. niger (18.2 mm). Thus, both S. alata and P. amarus are good antimicrobial agents against bacterial and fungal pathogens of human and plants.