Antibacterial and antifungal activity of kulitis (Amaranthus spinosus Linn.) leaves axtract Dafne Angela C. Alejandro ...[et al.].

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Biology) -- University of Rizal System-Morong.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This Study aimed to determine the activity of Kulitis Ethanolic and Crude Extract as antibacterial and antifungal agent against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger. The study was conducted at the University of Rizal System-Morong during the school year 2013-2014. The study also aimed to prove that kulitis can be used as alternative remedy in some human diseases caused by aforementioned bacteria and fungi. It also focused on maximizing the potential and uses of natural products that come from the environment. The subjects of the study were the test organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger while the plant of concern is the kulitis which is considered as a weed food and a medicinal plant. The study employed experimental research design to find out the activity of kulitis leaves extract on the test organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger. It started with the collection of fresh kulitis leaves from Brgy. Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal where plenty of plants are available while the experiment proper was performed at Laboratory Room 311 of Isidro S. Rodriguez (ISR) Building of University of Rizal System because the said room is equipped with extraction equipment and the needed laboratory apparatuses are readily available. Mean and Standard deviation were used to determine the rate of the zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger treated with 100% concentration of the Kulitis Leaves Extract. Meanwhile, One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant difference in the rate of the zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger treated with 100% concentration of Kulitis Leaves Extract. The results revealed that the rate of zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli after treatment with Kulitis leaves extract, Distilled water and Commercial antibiotics showed that they obtained the highest mean of 17.75 in Kulitis leaves extract after 72 hours of exposure. However, when it comes Aspergillus niger no zone of inhibition was formed. Hence, the longer the time of incubation days, the more effective or the bigger the zone of inhibition. It was therefore concluded that the Kulitis Leaves Extract is effective antibacterial agent but not antifungal since Aspergillus niger is resistant to the Kulitis leaves extract. Hence, it was recommended that the kulitis may be used for some bacterial causing diseases. It was also recommended that more extensive studies on other biological activity of kulitis using its stem, bark or root should be conducted. Studies and researches about the biological activity of other plants which are abundantly present in the country, but not well explored may be encouraged.