Investigation of Antimicrobial Activities of Lactuca Sativa (L.) Extracts against Clinical Pathogens

Abstract

The present study describes the antimicrobial activity of 3 extracts of Lactuca sativa Linn. (Lettuce), collected from the local markets in Baghdad. Successive petroleum ether, methanol and ethyl acetate+water extracts of Lactuca sativa leaves were tested (in vitro) for their antimicrobial activities by agar-well diffusion assay. All extracts displayed varied levels of antibacterial or antifungal activity. The petroleum ether extract exhibited antibacterial effect against all of the tested bacteria and the diameter of zones varied between 14-20 mm. The petroleum ether extract of Lactuca sativa leaves presented a good activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica, 20 mm, 19 mm and 19 mm, respectively. The ethyl acetate+water extract presented a good activity against Geotrichum candidum and Botrytis cinerea, 20 mm and 12 mm, respectively. The results obtained in this study appear to confirm the antibacterial and antifungal potential of Lactuca sativa leaves, as well as its usefulness in the treatment of diseases that may be as a result of infection