Investigation of in vitro antibacterial activity of papaya seeds on some bacteria related to skin infections

Abstract

      Skin infection is a common skin disease caused by opportunistic bacteria that reside on the skin. Research on the antibacterial ability of Papaya seeds (Carica papaya L.) helps provide information about the in vitro antibacterial activity of this medicinal herb. Papaya seeds are extracted by fractional soaking method with 70 % ethanol, 80 % ethanol and 90 % ethanol solvents. The extracts were removed solvent to obtain concentrated samples. The extracts were tested for antibacterial activity on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by agar well diffusion method. The most effective extract was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using the microdilution method. The results showed that Papaya seed extracts at a concentration of 100 mg/mL had antibacterial activity against MSSA, MRSA and S. pyogenes but was ineffective against P. aeruginosa. Papaya seed extract in 80 % ethanol showed the best antibacterial activity among the three solvents examined. This extract had the MIC for MSSA and MSSA of 5.0 mg/mL, for S. pyogenes of 2.5 mg/mL; while the MBC for MSSA and MSSA of 20 mg/mL, for S. pyogenes of 10 mg/mL.