Extraction of Areca catechu L. fruits in methanol and water to check its antimicrobial property

Antibiotics provide the main basis for the therapy of microbial (bacterial and fungal) infections. However, overuse of antibiotics has become the major factor for the emergence and dissemination of multi-drug resistant strains of several groups of microorganisms. For this reason, researchers are increasingly turning their attention to herbal products, looking for new leads to develop better drugs against microbial strains. In this study, methanol and aqueous extracts of Areca catechu were tested for their antimicrobial activity against E. coli, B. subtilis, Enterobacter and P. chrysogenum. Extraction was done by cold percolation method. Extracts were diluted by serial dilution. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was measured by using spectrophotometer (OD at 600 nm). Methanol extract was active against E. coli, B. subtilis and P. chrysogenum. Aqueous had antimicrobial potential against B. subtilis and P. chrysogenum. Areca catechu could be a possible source to obtain new and effective herbal medicines to treat infections caused by microorganisms.