ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF CALYX, STEM BARK AND ROOT OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA

Water extract of the red, white calyces, stem bark and root of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) were tested for their antibacterial activities. The root of the plant exhibited marked antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative organisms of Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aureginosa, Staphylococus sp., Streptococus faecalis and Corynebacterium spp while the red calyx is effective against gram negative organism of Klebssiella, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aureginosa. These actions are comparable to that exhibited by gentamicin. Key Words: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae, root stem bark, red and white calyx, antibacterial activity. Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.5 2001: 54-5