Assessment of antistaphylococcal activity of partially purified fractions and pure compounds from Eleutherine americana.

Ready-to-eat foods were investigated for contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and the partially purified fractions from the bulb of Eleutherine americana were evaluated for their anti-MRSA activity. Partially purified fractions Ea6.3 and Ea9 demonstrated good antibacterial activity with a MIC of 125 to 500 microg/ml and MBC of 250 to > or =1000 microg/ml against all the food isolates.

Application of Eleutherine americana crude extract in homemade salad dressing.

Crude extract from the herb Eleutherine americana was investigated for its antistaphylococcal activity both in vitro and in a food system. The extract activity against Staphylococcus aureus was better during incubation at 35 degrees C than at 10 and 4 degrees C. The extract exhibited excellent stability in response to heat and pH treatments.