Antimicrobial Activity of Different Extracts from Rhizome and Root of Potentilla erecta L. Raeuschel and Potentilla alba L. Rosaceae

The tested plant material of rhizome with roots of Potentillaerecta (L.) Raeuschel and Potentilla alba L. was collected in2003. Determination of the total phenolics content, non-tanninphenols was conducted by applying the method of Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and proanthocyanidin content by Porter.The method used for determination of the antibiotic activitywas used in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia(procedure 2.7.2.) on medium A and bacteria Staphylococcusaureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichiacoli ATCC 8739 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The water,ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extracts, prepared earlier,were tested. Medium A was used for testing Staphylococcusaureus and Escherichia coli while Medium F was used fortesting Candida albicans.The values obtained after testing phenol compounds (% ondry plant material) are as follows: the value for Potentillaerecta: total phenolics 16.90%, Non-tannin phenolics 0.09%,Proanthocyanidins 2.70% while the value for Potentilla alba:total phenolics 11.74%, Non-tannin phenolics 0.71%, Proanthocyanidins2.73%. The ethanol and acetone extracts havethe antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli, ethyl acetate extractof rhizome Potentilla erecta, while water extracts of bothtested species in dissolution 1:20 have the antimicrobial effecton Staphylococcus aureus. The tested species have not had anyeffect on Candida albicans fungus. * Part of the work was presented on the International Congress and 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society forMedicinal Plant Research, August 21st – 25th, 2005 Florence,Italy