The Antibacterial Activity of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) on Pathogenic Microorganisms " in vitro"

Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to human health, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with poor immune systems. So finding natural, cheap and effective antimicrobial compounds is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) on a number of infective bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This experimental study was carried out from February 2014 until May 2015 in the industrial microbiology laboratory, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. We used maceration method, aqueous and ethanolic solvents for the extraction of coriander (Coriandr um sativum). Plate count agar and disc diffusion method were used to determine the sensitivity of strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured using microplate.
The results showed good antibacterial effects on pathogenic strains. The most considerable effect of ethanolic coriander extract was observed on Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 80 mg/ml. The minimum inhibition zone in this concentration belonged to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MIC of ethanolic extract of the Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 25.6, 12.5and 25mg/ml, respectively and MBC of them were 25.6, 25 and 50mg/ml, respectively. Ethanolic coriander extract has a higher antimicrobial effect than aqueous extract, so MIC and MBC of aqueous coriand erextracts on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml and MBC regarding them were 25,50 and 100 mg/ml, respectively.
Our results showed that coriander herbs has significant antimicrobial effects on pathogenic bacteria, suggesting that the highest antimicrobial effect was observed on Staphylococcus aureusas a gram-positive organism and the lowest antimicrobial effect was on Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a gram-negative one.