Antibacterial Activity of Eight Medicinal Plants against Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from Broiler Meat

The excess use of antimicrobial agents in the poultry industry is a significant reason for the gradual spread and increasing level of multidrug resistance bacteria. This article is based on a study in which the antibacterial activity of aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic and acetonic extracts of eight medicinal plants were evaluated by standard disc diffusion method against multidrug resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler meat. The multidrug resistance was checked by commercially available antibiotics using standard disc diffusion method. The results have indicated that the ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa showed maximum zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli, while Asparagus racemosus showed maximum zone of inhibition against Salmonella spp. Other experimental plant extracts had showed moderate activity against these multidrug-resistant bacteria, which can also be considered as potential source of active beneficial phytochemicals. Proper management and application of these plant extracts may be a wonderful alternative of commercially available antibiotic to minimize the risk.