ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CUMIN (CUMINUM CYMINUM) SEEDS

Antimicrobial properties of methanolic extract of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seeds on four enteropathogenic and food-spoiler bacterial strains have been investigated. The cumin extract has been found to be effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Increase in absorbance between 260-280 nm indicates that incubation of bacterial cultures with cumin extract causes damage to their cell membranes and release of intracellular nucleotides and proteinaceous materials from the cells. The growth inhibition zones observed by agar well diffusion method were 10.7 to 14.0 mm in diameter in presence of cumin extract. Minimum concentrations of cumin extract effective against E,coli, P.aeruginosa, S.aureus and B.pumilus were found to be 12.5, 6.25, 25.0 and 6.25 mg dry weight per ml respectively.