Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Different Parts of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) Extracts

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal and aromatic plant. Various pharmacological experiments in vitro and in vivo models have convincingly showed F. vulgare ability in antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antithrombotic and hepatoprotective activities.
Experimental: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of extracts of Foeniculum vulgare on the number of pathogen bacteria. For this purpose, ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts (through maceration method) of different parts of the Foeniculum vulgare (flowers, leaves and fruit) were prepared and antibacterial activity was tested against some gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacterial species through standard disc diffusion method. The findings showed that the most sensitive bacteria to the extracts was Staphylococcus aureus and the most resistant bacteria was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the gained results in the case of fennel flower and fruits extract, methanol and acetone extract showed the highest and lowest antibacterial activity, respectively, while in the case of fennel leaves ethanolic extract exhibited the most inhibitory effect. In general, the results of this study indicated that the extract of fennel flowers had more antibacterial properties in comparison with other parts of plant.
Recommended applications/ industries: The antibacterial activity of fennel is due to the presence of terpenoids and phenolic compounds. These compounds are potentially effective on membrane permeability of bacteria and thereby cause the cell death. Therefore, fennel extract can be used to control bacteria resistant to several antibiotics.