Antimicrobial effects of Chromolaena odorata on some known human pathogens
(Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans) were carried out. Different solvents such as ethanol and cold water wrere used fir the leaf extraction. The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of ethanol extract against
Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli were 0.25mg/ml and 0.125mg/ml
respectively. The MIC of cold water(aqueous) extract on Staphyloccocus aureus
and E.coli showed no activity. For the fungi Candida albicans, the ethanolic extract
of leaf showed MIC at 0.25 while aqueous(cold water) extract showed MIC at 0.5
dilutions. This indicates that ethanolic extraction is more effective than cold water. This justifies the therapeutic use of Chromolaena odorata .Also further
investigations can combine the plant extracts with another medicinal plant for
synergic effects