In vitro antibacterial evaluation of aqueous and methanol extracts of Tridax procumbens flower on selected pathogenic organisms

This study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Tridax procumbens flowers against selected organisms. The powdered flowers of Tridax procumbens were extracted by cold maceration with water and methanol (70% v/v). The aqueous and methanolic extracts were subjected to antibacterial sensitivity test against selected organisms; Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by determining the zone of inhibition using the agar well diffusion method. Results yielded varying MIC for each organism. The methanolic extract had an MIC value between 18.75mg/ml -150mg/ml and the aqueous extract had MIC values between 18.75mg/ml – 37.5mg/ml. In conclusion, both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Tridax procumbens flowers showed antibacterial activity against the selected isolates implying that the extracts of Tridax procumbens can serve as a good candidate for the antibacterial agent.