Antibacterial activity of Corylus colurna L. (Betulaceae) and Prunus divaricata ledep. subsp. divaricata (Rosaceae) from Usak, Turkey

Abstract

Hazelnut and plum are very popular fruits in the world being consumed in different form and presentations. These fruits are of economic importance, especially hazelnut. In this study, the antibacterial activity of Turkish tree hazel (Corylus colurna) and Chery plum (Prunus divaricata subsp. divaricata) were investigated. The leaves of plants were extracted successively with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, methanol and distilled water in a Soxhlet apparatus. The antibacterial effects of these extracts were tested by a disk diffusion method using gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus NRRL B-767, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Bacillus subtilis NRS-744, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644) and gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella typhimurium NRRL B-4420, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 700603). Extracts from both plants showed similar potencies against all tested microorganisms. The results show that the dichloromethane extract of C. colurna had the highest antimicrobial activity against S. typhimurium. In additionally, petroleum ether extract of P. divaricata subsp. divaricata had highest antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis. The present work demonstrates that C. colurna and P. divaricata subsp. divaricata might be a natural source of bioactive compounds that can be promoting human health and reducing disease risks.