ANTIMICROBIAL ASSAY OF Morinda citrifolia (Noni fruit) EXTRACT ON Staphylococcus aures, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella.

The preliminary screening of Morinda citrifolia (Noni fruit) extract for antimicrobial activity was conducted at NDMU Microbiological Laboratory from October to November 1999. Test organisms used were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella. The fruit was extracted serially into three (3) treatment concentrations and a standard antibiotic 250mg/ml. Chloramphenicol was used as a positive control. Each treatment including the control was assayed microbiologically through disc diffusion method in a cultured medium Zones of inhibition was measured using Vernier caliper on treated plates. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with 5% level of significance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) were used in the statistical analysis of the data Morinda citrifolia (Noni fruit) extract showed inhibitory activity in all five (5)-test organisms. In four (4) treatments, Treatment A, with 100% pure extract showed the highest inhibitory effect in all bacterias, followed by Treatment B, with 75% fruit extract, then treatment C, with 50 % fruit extract and Treatment D which is the control also showed inhibitory activity in all test organisms.