In-vitro Efficacy of Methanol and Acetone Extracts of Trigonella foenum (Fenugreek) and Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) Against Pathogenic Bacteria

Spices are some of the most commonly used natural antimicrobial agent in food. Addition of spices in food not only imparts flavor and pungent stimuli but also provide antimicrobial property. Current research on natural molecules and product primarily focuses on plants since they can be sourced more easily and be selected on their ethano-medical properties. While some of the raw drugs are collected in smaller quantities by the local communities and folk healers for local use. Plants used for traditional medicine contain a wide range of substances that can be used to treat chronic as well as infectious diseases. The aim of the present study was to screen the medicinal and antibacterial activities of methanol and acetone extracts of the two spices Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum) and Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) available in Chhattisgarh. Crude extract of the spices with methanol and acetone were screened for antimicrobial activities against four pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp. , Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus aureus. In-vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method. Methanol extract of Fenugreek and Ajwain revealed an elevated antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas sp. , Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus aureus whereas acetone extract of spices exhibited highest activity against Escherichia coli. and showed little activity against Salmonella sp. The results obtained in the present study suggest that the methanol extract of Trigonella foenum and Trachyspermum ammi revealed a significant scope to develop a broad spectrum of antimicrobial herbal formulation.