title: Antibacterial activity and morphological changes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells after exposure to Vernonia cinerea extract.
abstract: The antibacterial activity of Vernonia cinerea (L.) extract was investigated using the broth dilution method. The extract showed a favorable antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value of 3.13 mg/mL. V. cinerea extract at (1/2), 1, or 2 times the MIC significantly inhibited bacterial growth with a noticeable drop in optical density (OD) of the bacterial culture, thus confirming the antibacterial activity of the extract on P. aeruginosa. Imaging using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy was done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of the extract-treated P. aeruginosa. The main abnormalities noted via SEM and TEM studies were the alteration in morphology of the bacterial cells. The main reason for this destruction was the severe alterations of the cell wall with the formation of holes, invaginations, and morphological disorganization caused by the extract. The authors conclude that the extract may be used as a candidate for the development of antimicrobial agents.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Lachimanan Yoga
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Latha
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Darah
authors.forename: Mohd Jain Noordin Mohd
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kassim
authors.forename: Sreenivasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasidharan
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D035741:Vernonia / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts