• Investigation of antibacterial and antifungal effects of aquatic, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Acroptilon repens against on E. coli (ATCC 25922) and Malassezia furfur (ATCC 96810) compared by ciprofloxacin and fluconazole
  • Mahdi Dadashi Firouzjaei,1,* Issa Gholampour Azizi,,2
    1. Islamic Azad University Babol Branch, Babol, Iran
    2. Islamic Azad University Babol Branch, Babol, Iran


  • Introduction: is the plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, various chemical compounds in its are responsible for the characteristics of the plant. Introduced invasive weeds are a serious problem in grasslands globally (Baker, 1986). These species can have adverse economic impacts by reducing crop yields or the quality of grazing lands and can have negative ecological impacts including reducing biodiversity, endangering rare communities and altering processes such as nutrient cycling (Vitousek, 1990, Young and Longland, 1996, Higgins et al., 1999, Stohlgren et al., 1999). At least 57 000 km2 of public rangelands in the western United States have been invaded by noxious weeds. The total geographic range of these species has quadrupled from 1985 to 1995 (Westbrooks, 1998). Introduced perennial species are particularly important, as they have the capability to dominate native vegetation for extended periods of time. There are a number of factors that influence invasion dynamics, including life history traits of native and exotic species, and physical characteristics of the site, such as soil texture and climate. We have a limited understanding of the relative importance of these different processes and environmental conditions on invasion dynamics. Most studies of invasive perennials have focused exclusively on management methods and have met with limited success (Donald, 1990, Fay, 1991, Rosenthal et al., 1991, Benz et al., 1999). A broader understanding of the ecological processes underlying the invasion and spread of exotic perennial weeds can contribute to our understanding of plant ecology as well as improve our ability to control and eliminate weed infestations (Cousens and Mortimer, 1995, Sheley et al., 1996, Sheley et al., 1999).
  • Methods: In this study antibacterial and antifungal effects of aquatic, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Acroptilon repens against on E. coli (ATCC 25922) and Malassezia furfur (ATCC 96810) compared by ciprofloxacin and fluconazole were investigated. Disk diffusion (10, 20, 30, 40 & 50 µl) and well diffusion (100, 110, 150 & 200 µl) strategies to screen antimicrobial activity of Acroptilon repens extracts against E. coli and Malassezia furfur, Then MIC and MBC/MFC of extract were determined
  • Results: Results showed that there was no any microbial sensitivity against extracts in disk diffusion and well diffusion methods. E. coli was resistant against extracts and had no MIC and MBC next to the extracts, but MIC of Malassezia furfur against ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Acroptilon repens was 10.66 and 17.66 mg/ml respectively and the MFC 18.65 and 33.32 mg/ml respectively. Inhibitory zone of E. coli next to the ciprofloxacin was 23.33 mm and Inhibitory zone of Malassezia furfur next to the fluconazole was 19.66 mm.
  • Conclusion: based on results, Acroptilon repens extracts had no antimicrobial effect against gram negative bacteria, but had antifungal effect. However, fluconazole was stronger than Acroptilon repens extracts.
  • Keywords: Malassezia furfur, E. coli, Acroptilon repens extract, Antimicrobial effects, ciprofloxacin and fluc