The Antimicrobial Effects of Medicinal Plants on Pathogenic Food Bacteria

Abstract

Objectives: This paper aimed to explore the antimicrobial effects Mentha piperita, Solanum nigrum, Mentha longifolia, and Withania somnifera on food pathogens. Methods: Plant extracts were obtained using the rotary system, the minimum inhibitory concentration and diluting method, and examined against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC1189, Shigella dysenteriae ATCC1188, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC1298, Vibrio cholera ATCC1611, and Bacillus cereus ATCC101. Results: The results showed that extracts with various inhibitory ppm could inhibit the growth of antigenic bacteria so that the extract of Solanum nigrum could strongly inhibit S. aureus, Listeria, and Vibrio; and the extract of Mentha longifolia with 6.25 ppm can inhibit B. cereus. Conclusions: The obtained results revealed that the extracts could strongly inhibit the bacteria in foods and that Solanum nigrum showed the highest antibacterial effect.