Resumen:
The acetone extract from root-bark of Salvadora persica L. (Salvadoraceae), is assayed for its antibacterial activity
against some bacterial pathogens. By GC/MS analysis, the main chemical components of the acetone extract
were found to be benzylisothiocyanate (39.4%), and benzyl nitrile (benzeneacetonitrile) (37.9%). According the
extract concentrations used, the measured inhibition zones observed were between from 13.6 to 18.6 mm,
15.3–23 mm, 13.3–18.3 mm, 13.3–18.3 mm, and 12.3–19 mm, against the isolated plant bacterial pathogens
namely Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, Enterobacter cloacae, Dickeya solani and Ralstonia
solanacearum, respectively, whilst it was between 8 and 12 mm, 8–9.6 mm, 8–11.6 mm, and 8–10.3 mm against
Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The minimum inhibitory
concentration values of the extract were between 16 and 32 μg/mL against the growth of plant bacterial, and
from 1000 to 2000 μg/mL against the growth of the human bacteria. In conclusion, the acetone extract of rootbark
of S. persica showed strong antibacterial activity against the plant pathogens and some activity against the
human pathogens were reported. The results suggested that using the acetone extract from root-bark of S. persica
as bioactive agent against the growth of the studied plant bacterial pathogens.
