Abstract
This study was designed to examine the efficacy of various organic extracts derived from the leaves of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Fabaceae) for antibacterial potential against some representative food spoilage and food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The organic extracts of chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, at a concentration of 2500 μg/mL, exhibited a promising antibacterial effect against Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19118, L. monocytogenes ATCC19166, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC6432 and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC2512. The zones of inhibition of various leaf extracts against the tested bacterial pathogens were found in the range of 8.1 to 18 mm, along with their respective MIC values, ranging from 125 to 1000 μg/mL. The chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts displayed significantly higher antibacterial activity as compared to streptomycin. The results of this study suggest that P. pinnata may have potential use in food industry as an antimicrobial agent, as well as pharmaceutical interest.