Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Saffron Petals on Some Bacterial Pathogens

    Saffron is an interesting minor spice with a food coloring history and its active components have shown several useful pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, radical scavenger effects, learning and memory-improving effects, anti-Alzheimer, antipruritic, etc. Because of negative consumer perception of chemical preservatives, attention is shifting towards natural alternatives. Particular interest has been focused on the potential application of plant essential oils. The aim of the present study was undertaken to evaluate the interaction of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron petals and different concentrations of it against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

    The hydroalcoholic extract of saffron petals and different concentrations of extract (60, 90, 120 mg/ml) by a blank sterilized disc diffusion test was assessed against four different gram-positive and negative bacterial pathogens. Also, a full randomized factorial design experiment was conducted with three replications. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by LSD test for multiple comparisons.

   The results of ANOVA showed that saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract and antibiotics were an effective on all tested bacterial strains and the most effective antibacterial properties has been observed on Listeria monocytogenes followed by Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities of concentration of saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract was not significant on E. coli, but was significant on Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium. Also, it was shown that the increases of the concentration of the extract caused  higher antibacterial effects.  The highest antibacterial effect of saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract was 120 mg which was observed against the L. monocytogenes. Saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract showed more antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium.

    The results of this research showed that saffron petals extract has considerable  potential as a herbal-base antimicrobial compound.

It was used the hydroalcoholic extract of saffron petals and different concentrations of extract (60, 90, 120 mg/ml) by a disc diffusion test against four different gram positive and negative bacteria that it was conducted a factorial experiment base on completely randomized design with three replications and also in this research some antibiotics such as AN, CRO, Gm, Am, P, SXT, CP and AZM were used for positive control. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by LSD test for multiple comparisons.

The results of AMOVA was shown that saffron petals hydroalcholic extract and antibiotics were effect on all bacteria and the most influence antibacterial has on Listeria monocytogenes and then Escherichia Coli. The antibacterial activities of concentration of saffron petals hydroalcholic extract was not significant on E. Coli, but was significant on L. monocytogenes, S. Aureus and S. typhimurium that by increasing the concentration of the extract, antibacterial effect has increased So, the highest antibacterial effect of saffron petals hydroalcholic extract was 120 mg on the L. monocytogenes bacteria. Saffron petals hydroalcholic extract showed more antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium.

The result of this research shown that saffron petals extract has great potential as antimicrobial compounds against microorganisms.