Antimicrobial activity of different types of Centella asiatica extracts against foodborne pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms

The present study focused on the antimicrobial assessments of Centella asiatica for different extracts (ethanol, methanol, water, and hexane) against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Ethanol achieved the highest extraction yields, total phenolic, and flavonoids contents, followed by those achieved with methanol, water, and hexane. The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity in agar disc diffusion assays. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranged from 7.81 for C. albicans to 125 mg/mL for A. niger. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was ranged from 15.63 for S. aureus and S. Typhimurium to 62.50 mg/mL for E. coli O157: H7. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was ranged 7.81 for C. albicans and 250 mg/mL for A. niger. No MBC and MFC could be established for the methanolic and aqueous extract, and the hexane extract did not show any antimicrobial activity. Ethanolic extract could potentially be an alternative for synthetic preservatives against foodborne pathogens.

Automated summary

The study found that the ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica showed the highest antimicrobial activity and could potentially serve as an alternative to synthetic preservatives in food.