Bacteriostatic Effect of Piper Betle (Ikmo) and Terminalia Catappa (Talisay) Against Pectobacterium Carotavorum

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pectobacteriumcarotovorum is a gram-negative pathogen that causes bacterial soft rot in plants. The use of chemicals in controlling these bacteria has been tried, but only with limited success. Biological control is also used but is not considered an alternative for only a few researches have been conducted. Prevention of the spread of this disease is the most efficient wayof defeating the said pathogen. Piper betle and Terminalia catappa plants are used in this study as they contain phytochemicals that support the antibacterial activity, making them potential agents against Pectobacterium carotovorum.

METHODS

Leaves of P.betle and T. catappa were gathered and prepared for extraction. The plant materials were extracted in soxhlet apparatus and then they were concentrated using rotary evaporator, with different concentrations at 25%, 50%, and 75%. A carrot infected with Pectobacterium carotovorum was prepared and sliced into 1 cm cubes. The cubes are coated with the extracts of P. betle and T. catappa, in addition to positive and negative controls. It was left for another 24 hours at room temperature and then it was observed for the extract's bacteriostatic effect thereafter.

RESULTS

The results of the testing procedure indicate the proliferation of Pectobacterium carotovorum in the carrot disk in the presence of the plant extract and the positive and negative control. Results of the carrot disk method revealed that among P. betle plant extracts, the 25% ethanolic extract is the most effective in inhibiting the growth of Pectobacterium carotovorum, followed by 50% and 75% of P. betle ethanolic extract. Among the T. catappa extracts, it is found out that 50% ethanolic extract is the most effective. It is followed by 75% and 25% ethanolic extract. This showed that different concentrations of the plant extracts have different degrees of efficacy against Pectobacterium carotovorum. It is also noticeable that the effectivity of 25% P. betle extract is comparable to the positive control, cefotaxime.

DISCUSSIONS

The researchers concluded that the extracts of P. betle and T. catappa can be used as an antibacterial agent against Pectobacterium carotovorum because of its bacteriostatic effect. The researchers suggested that the optimal growth environment for the bacteria should be adapted in culturing and testing procedures to get more precise results. It is also proposed that other methods be used in testing the bacteriostatic effect of the extracts.