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IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF KALONJI, CUMIN AND POPPY SEED

NAZIA MASOOD AHMED CHAUDHRY AND PERWEEN TARIQ^*

Abstract: Antibacterial activity of aqueous infusions and aqueous decoctions of kalonji (Nigella sativa L., Ranunculaceae), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L., Umbelliferae) and poppy seed (Papaver somniferum L., Papaveraceae) were investigated against 188 bacterial isolates belonging to 11 different genera of Gram +ve and Gram -ve microorganisms isolated from oral cavity of apparently healthy individuals. Disc diffusion method was performed to test antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial potential was observed from the aqueous decoction of cumin which inhibited 73% of the tested microorganisms than aqueous decoctions of kalonji (51%) and poppy seed (14.4%). In case of tested aqueous infusions, kalonji and cumin showed inhibitory potential against 17% and 5.9% tested microorganisms, respectively. Besides, all isolates were found resistant to aqueous infusion of poppy seed.

Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan