Vol. 3, Issue 3, Part L (2017)

Abstract
In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extract was evaluated against one gram-positive species Staphylococcus aureus, and four gram-negative species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus sp. The solvents used for extraction of plant leaves were Acetone, Chloroform, Ethanol and Distilled water. The in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity was carried out by agar well diffusion method. The alcoholic extract of leaves of Jatropha curcas L. showed maximum antimicrobial activity against all test organisms except Proteus sp., while aqueous extract of plant leaves was found to be ineffective against all test pathogens. The acetone and chloroform extract showed variable activity. Proteus sp. was found to be insensitive to all of the extracts. Ethanol extract of plant leaves was found to be equally potent against Staphylococcus aureus compared to standard antibiotics such as streptomycin. The study scientifically proves the importance of plant products in development of a potent antibacterial agent.