Usefulness of bixa orellana leaf extract against some veterinary pathogens

Bixa orellana L. is a highly cultivable plant because of its adaptable characteristic and suitability of growth in open location.  Its seeds are used for culinary and industrial purposes.  Recently, B. orellana is shown to possess bioactive substance that can cure common infections. In this investigation, the potential of B. orellana as antibacterial plant is examined through its minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) towards Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella pullorum and Pasteurella multocida. The leaf part of the plant was infused into ethanolic solvent to extract the bioactive substance.  Results showed that all test organisms were inhibited at 0.3125 mg/mL and killed at 2.5 mg/mL of the leaf extract.  Of the assayed organisms, Staphylococcus aureus appeared to be most susceptible having inhibited at 0.078 mg/mL and killed at 0.3125 mg/mL of the extract. Enterococcus faecalis appeared less sensitive and killed at 2.5 mg/mL. In terms of action, B. orellana crude leaf extract exhibited bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella pullorum and Pasteurella multocida but bacteriostatic against Enterococcus faecalis.  The promising performance of Bixa orellana in this study provides preliminary basis to explore pharmacological development of the plant into a potential drug.