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Planta Med 1979; 36(8): 311-321
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1097277
Research Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Screening of Higher Plants for Biological Activities I. Antimicrobial Activity

Margaretha Leven, Dirk A. Vanden Berghe, Francis Mertens, Arnold Vlietinck1 , Edmond Lammens2
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
  • 2National Botanical Garden of Belgium, Domein van Boechout, Belgium.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
13 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Plants of 43 families, encompassing 100 species and selected on the basis of literature data and medicinal folklore reports are being studied in a broad screening programme. A total of 428 extracts are being evaluated for antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic and pharmacological activities. In this communication, the biological test methods for screening plants for antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro are described. The results of the testing showed that 84 % and 75 % of the plants respectively exhibited some level of antibacterial and antifungal action; 17 % of the latter were found to be inhibitory towards the yeast Candida albicans and 83 % inhibited filamentous fungi to varying degrees.

Key Word Index

Plant Extracts - Screening - Antibacterial–, Antifungal Activity