Comparative Investigation on Antimicrobial Property of Miliusa tomentosa Leaf Oil and Leaf Extract

Aqueous extract and volatile oil were obtained from Miliusa tomentosa by using soxhlet extractor and hy-dro distillation with a Clevenger-type apparatus respectively. The extract and volatile oil both were screened for Antimicrobial activity against different bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pncumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus pumilis) and fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium monoliforme, Trichoderma viridae, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pcilomyces species) by cup plate diffusion method. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of aqueous extract and volatile oil obtained were determined using modified cup plate method. The aqueous extract exhibited weak activity against all the bacteria and one fungi (Candida albicans), while volatile oil showed strong activity against most bacteria including Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudommonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoni. Also, a moderate activity was seen against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus pumilis. It also showed strong activity against fungi like Candida albicans and Fusarium monoli-forme, whereas moderate activity was observed on Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viridae and the weak activity against the remaining fungi. It can be concluded that Miliusa tomentosa leaf volatile oil finds its use as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent after extensive investigation, and this may provide a basis for the isolation of constituents of biological interest from Miliusa tomentosa for its potent activity.