Thesis Abstract

The escalating issue of antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for alternative antimicrobial agents, leading to an increased interest in plant extracts for their potential therapeutic properties. This thesis investigates the antimicrobial properties of various plant extracts against pathogenic bacteria, aiming to contribute to the development of novel and effective antimicrobial agents. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review in Chapter Two, exploring previous research on plant extracts and their antimicrobial activities. Various plant species and their bioactive compounds are discussed in detail, highlighting their potential as natural antimicrobial agents. Chapter Three details the research methodology, including the selection and preparation of plant extracts, the cultivation and identification of pathogenic bacteria, and the antimicrobial testing methods employed. The chapter also discusses the experimental design and statistical analysis used to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the plant extracts. Chapter Four presents the findings of the study, including the antimicrobial activity of different plant extracts against a range of pathogenic bacteria. The results are analyzed and discussed in relation to the research objectives, highlighting the potential of certain plant extracts as effective antimicrobial agents. In Chapter Five, the conclusion and summary of the thesis are provided, summarizing the key findings and implications of the study. The limitations of the research are discussed, along with recommendations for future studies in this area. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts and their potential applications in combating pathogenic bacteria. The findings of this study have important implications for the development of alternative antimicrobial agents in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the importance of further research in this field.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Investigation of the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts against pathogenic bacteria" aims to explore the potential of plant extracts as natural antimicrobial agents to combat pathogenic bacteria. This research is motivated by the increasing antimicrobial resistance crisis and the urgent need to find alternative treatments. The study will involve the collection of various plant samples with known traditional medicinal properties. These plant extracts will then be subjected to rigorous laboratory testing to evaluate their effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria commonly associated with human infections. The research will focus on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to assess the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts. The project will employ a combination of microbiological techniques, such as agar well diffusion assays and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, to determine the antimicrobial potency of the plant extracts. Additionally, advanced analytical methods, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), may be used to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for the antimicrobial activity. The findings of this research could have significant implications for the development of novel antimicrobial agents from natural sources. If successful, plant extracts with potent antimicrobial properties could potentially be harnessed for the treatment of bacterial infections, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional antibiotics. Ultimately, this study seeks to contribute to the growing body of research aimed at addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance through the exploration of natural resources.