Antimicrobial Activity of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus racemosa roots L.

Problems statement: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus racemosa against three bacterial strains that is Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia. Approach: The different concentrations viz. 25, 50 and 75 mg mL^-1 of aqueous as well as ethanolic extract solutions of roots of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus racemosa were tested against above three bacterial strains. The effects were compared with that of a standard antibiotic-loaded disc, ampicillin (10 mcg/disc) of Himedia Labs. Finally, the plates were incubated with lids closed at 37°C for 24 h. Discs were observed for zones of inhibition by measuring the Diameter of Inhibition Zone (DIZ) using a ruler. Results: Ficus racemosa ethanolic extract showed maximum inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus when compared with Ficus benghalensis ethanolic extract. However standard drug ampicillin showed maximum antimicrobial activity compared with both the plants. Conclusion: In conclusion, it was clearly observed that ethanolic extract of both the plants were having good antimicrobial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus.