The impact of Chinaberry, Colocynth and Camelthorn extracts on eight bacteria and three fungi

Antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) seeds, Camelthorn  (Alhagi maurorum) fruit and Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) leaves on eight bacteria and three fungi, which usually cause damage to agricultural products examined in this research.

Antimicrobial activity of selected plants in six concentrations on 11 microorganisms including, three gram-positive bacteria vs. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Rathayibacter toxicus, and five gram-negative bacteria vs. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas syringae subsp. syringae, Pseudomonas viridiflava, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, as well as three fungi vs. Pyricularia oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea was measured using the disk diffusion method. Also, the antioxidant activity of the extracts of these  plants was evaluated by measuring the enzymes of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase and evaluating the ability to trap DPPH radicals. In addition, the amount of total phenols and flavonoids in these plants extracts were measured.

Methanolic extract of Colocynth seeds had the highest antibacterial activity, the highest activity of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase enzymes and the highest percentage of DPPH radical inhibition. Methanolic extracts of these plants had no effect on fungal colony growth.

Methanolic extract of Colocynth seeds can be considered as potential sources of bactericides in agriculture.