Fitoterapia 73 (2002) 713–715

Short report

Antimicrobial activity of Psidium guajava L.

S.I. Abdelrahima, A.Z. Almagboulb,*, M.E.A. Omerb,
A. Elegamib
a
Faculty of Science, Sudan University of Sciences and Technology, P.O. Box 407, Khartoum, Sudan
b
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute, National Center for Research, P.O. Box 2404,
Khartoum, Sudan

Received 25 June 2002; accepted in revised form 5 August 2002

Abstract

Psidium guajava aqueous bark and methanolic extracts were found to possess anti-bacterial
activity.
䊚 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Psidium guajava L.; Antibacterial activity

Plant. Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) bark collected in October 1997 from Algiraif
Garden, Khartoum, Sudan. The plant was authenticated by Dr G.B.E. Elgazali and
W.E.AyAlla Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute, Ministry of Science
and Technology. A voucher specimen has been deposited at the herbarium of the
Institute.

Uses in traditional medicine. The water extract of the leaves is used for the
treatment of bronchitis, asthma attacks and for the treatment of dysentery. (Infor-
mation gathered by a herbalist from Khartoum province.) The bark is used in the
treatment of diarrohea, stomachache and diabetes w1x.
*Corresponding author. Fax: q249-11-773771.
E-mail address: aalmagboul@hotmail.com (A.Z. Almagboul).

0367-326X/02/$ - see front matter 䊚 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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714 S.I. Abdelrahim et al. / Fitoterapia 73 (2002) 713–715

Table 1
Antibacterial activity of Psidium gujava L. bark extracts against standard organisms

Extract Yield % Phytochemical Inhibition zone (mm) *MIC (mgyml)

screening
B. s S. a E. c Ps. a B. s S. a E. c Ps. a
Petroleum ether 3.12 Stq, – – – – N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.
MeOH 72.25 Tanqqq 18 20 22 20 4.52 9.03 18.06 9.03
H 2O 13.59 Sapq, Tanqqq 16 16 20 16 1.69 6.79 )13.05 13.06
Antibiotics Conc.
Ampicillin 40 mgyml 21.0 23.0 17.0 16.0 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.
Neomycin 40 mgyml 17.0 21.0 18.0 17.0 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D.
*MICsMinimum inhibitory concentration; B. ssBacillus subtilis; S. asStaphyllococcus aureus; E.
csEscherichia coli; Ps. asPseudomonas aeruginosa; Sapssaponin; Stssterol andyor triterpenes;
Tanstannin; qslow concentration; qqqshigh concentration; N.D.snot done. Test concentration
of extractss45 mgyml; 0.1 mlycup; inhibition zones are the mean of three replicates.

Previously isolated compounds. Tannins from the bark w1x, monoterpenoids and
esters from the ripe fruit w2x, terpenoids from leaves and in the outer portion w3,4x,
essential oil from the leaves w5,6x.

Tested material. Chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts prepared as previously

described w7x. Yields; result of phytochemical screening w8,9x and minimum
inhibitory concentration w10x are given in Table 1.

Table 2
Sensitivity of clinical isolates towards Psidium guajava L. bark extracts

Clinical isolates (n) Sensitive strains (n)*

Bark extracts
Microorganisms Source
MeOH H2O

E. coli Urinary tract (13) 13 13

Klebsiella pneumoniae Urinary tract (3) 3 3
Proteus vulgaris Ear (1) 1 1
Urinary tract (1) 1 1
Wound (4) 4 4
P. aeruginosa Ear (2) 2 2
Urinary tract (3) 3 3
Wound (2) 2 2
S. aureus Abscess (1) 1 1
Ear (1) 1 1
Urinary tract (5) 5 5
Wound (3) 3 3
*
Sensitive organisms are those exhibiting inhibition zone diameter of 15 mm or more. Test concen-
tration of extracts 45 mgyml; 0.1 mlycup.
 S.I. Abdelrahim et al. / Fitoterapia 73 (2002) 713–715 715

Studied activity. Antibacterial activity by the cup-plate agar diffusion method w11x,
MIC by the agar dilution method w10x.

Used microorganisms. Listed in Table 1 and Table 2.

Results. Reported in Table 1 (activity vs. standard microorganisms) and Table 2

(sensitivity tests vs. clinical isolates).

Conclusion. P. guajava bark extracts showed a significant antibacterial activity. The

bark methanolic extract showed the highest activity against all tested standard
microorganisms. However, all clinical isolates were sensitive to both extracts,
confirming its traditional uses.

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