Antimicrobial activities of fruits of Crataegus and Pyrus species

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate extracts from fruits of Crataegus tanacetifolia , Crataegus x bornmulleri , Pyrus communis subsp. communis , and Pyrus serikensis (Rosaceae) were investigated by the agar-well diffusion assay, and the extracts exhibited antimicrobial effect against most of the bacteria and all of the yeasts tested. Although the plants differed in their activities against the microorganisms tested, the extracts of C. x bornmulleri and P. communis subsp. communis displayed no antifungal activity against the fungi tested. P. serikensis extract inhibited the growth of all bacteria tested but not Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus parasiticus , Aspergillus citri , and Aspergillus fumigatus . In conclusion, P. serikensis was the most active antimicrobial plant. Particularly, P. serikensis extract showed significant antifungal activities and could be used as an antimicrobial agent in new drug therapy.