G.SASHIKALA DEVI, A.KOTTAI MUTHU, D.SATHEESH KUMAR, S.REKHA, INDHUMATHY AND R. NANDHINI
To investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Ethanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica (Linn). The extract was prepared from fresh fruit of Luffa cylindrica by hot continuous percolation method in Soxhlet apparatus. Ethanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica (Linn) were tested for antibacterial and antifungal efficacy against Gram positive & Gram negative bacteria and Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans organism. The Ethanolic extract was found to be the most effective and showed antibacterial and antifungal activity against the entire organism tested. The Zone of Inhibition (mm) at various concentrations of Ethanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica was found to the range 50 mg/ml to 150mg/ml on tested all the test organisms. This study scientifically supports the usage of whole plant as a remedy for various superficial bacterial and fungal infections in traditional medicine.
