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INVESTIGATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS EXTRACT **

Abstract

Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot) contains a red alkaloid, sanguinarine, which inhibits microbial growth. The objective of this experiment was to test the properties of the whole rhizome extract. Pulverized S. canadensis rhizomes or pure Sanguinarine chloride (control) were dissolved in 75% ethanol (tincture) or water (aqueous solution). Sterile filter paper disks soaked with extract were placed on either Brain-Heart Infusion, Meuller Hinton, Meuller Hinton + 5% sheep's blood, or Meuller Hinton + methylene blue + 2% glucose agar plates inoculated with Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Neisseria sicca, Candida albicans, or Staphylococcus aureus. After overnight incubation at 37°C, zones of inhibition were measured. Preliminary data indicates that S. canadensis tincture inhibits microbial growth when compared to the control (75% ethanol). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract will be determined with a serial dilution of S. canadensis aqueous solution or tincture in 2x Meuller Hinton, BHI broth, or Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) media inoculated with microbial cells. As human pathogens become antibiotic resistant, it is of medicinal worth to explore naturally occurring compounds for their antimicrobial properties.

Acknowledgements

Young Harris Undergraduate Research Initiative

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