The antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of peppermint and Bay leaf against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Microbial resistance to antibiotics especially among Staphylococcal strains is a major threat to public
health. Therefore plant extract are alternatives now to treat resistant organisms.
Materials and Method: The effect of different concentration of two a aqueous extracts (peppermint and bay leaf)
against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using the agar diffusion method and determination of minimum
bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of peppermint and bay leaf were also done in this study.
Results: The results of this study demonstrated that peppermint extract exhibit more activity than bay leaf on
Staphylococcus aureus but both of them were found to have inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureu. The
minimum bactericidal concentration was shown that 25% was the MBC for peppermint and 35% was the MBC for
bay leaf.
Conclusion: This in vitro study suggests that peppermint and bay leaf may be used as antibacterial agent against
Staphylococcus aureus.
Key words: Antibacterial activity, peppermint, bay leaf, Staphylococcus aureus. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2011;23(146-
150).