A SURVEY OF HIGHER PLANTS FOR ANTIBACTERIAL SUBSTANCES

Abstract

The results of a preliminary survey of 209 Nova Scotian plants are reported. In the survey five solvents: distilled water, alcohol, ether, acetone, and benzene were used to extract substances from each plant. By the use of these solvents, 33.4% of the plants tested were shown to contain one or more substances inhibitory to Staphylococcus aureus No. 209 and/or Escherichia coli A.T.C.C. No. 9637. Fifteen per cent of the extractions made showed activity against S. aureus, while 4.6% were active against E. coli. The highest incidence of activity was obtained with the ether extractions. All the plants tested are listed, and those displaying any activity are tabulated with their results. The 10 most active plants were found to be: Cirsium arvense, Chimaphila umbellata, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Menyanthes trifoliata, Monotropa uniflora, Myrica Gale, Nymphaea odorata, Oxalis europaea, Populus gileadensis, and Pyrus Malus.