Callus from leaf and stem explants of cordia africana lam. exceeded the mother plant parts in antibacterial activity

Abstract EN

Using Murashige and Skoog's culture media supplemented with various concentrations of benzyl adenine (BA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) concentrations, calli from leaf and stem explants of Cordia africana Lam.

were induced in vitro in Petri-dishes (incubation temperature 27 °C and photoperiod 16 / 8 hrs.).

After 4 weeks, calli were harvested and their fresh and dry biomass was determined.

The best fresh and dry weights were obtained with (0.2 mg / l BA).

This concentration was used to provide sufficient of fresh callus biomass.

Phytochemical screening has shown that ethanolic extracts of leaves, stems and their calli contained flavonoids and tannins.

Antibacterial activity of the four types of crude extracts was examined by the disc-plate diffusion method against Escherichia coli (ATTCC 11229), Pseudomonas auruginosa (CS.

25) ; Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 13883) ; and Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 7447).

Crude extracts of calli were more potent than their corresponding mother plant parts in inhibiting bacterial growth; and that the antibacterial activity of callus obtained from stem explants exceeded that obtained from leaf explants.

Maximum inhibition zone (21 mm diameter) was estimated from the treatment of E.

coli with crude ethanolic extract of fresh callus obtained from stem explants.