World Applied Sciences Journal 21 (10): 1490-1494, 2013 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.21.10.2133 Corresponding Author: Siti Nazrina Camalxaman, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: +603-32584428, Fax: +603-32584599. 1490 In vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Vigna radiata (L) Wilzeck Extracts Against Gram Negative Enteric Bacteria Siti Nazrina Camalxaman, Zuhaida Md Zain, Zulkhairi Amom, 1 1 2 Maimunah Mustakim, Emida Mohamed and Azlin Sham Rambely 1 1 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 1 Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2 Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Abstract: The rapid spread of multidrug-resistance against conventional antibiotics is a global threat that necessitates the search for alternative therapies from natural sources. In this study, the antibacterial potentials of chloroform and methanol extracts of mung bean sprout (MBS) or Vigna radiata (L) Wilzeck extracts were evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. using agar disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assessment. Both extracts showed antimicrobial activities against all the tested gram negative bacteria with the exception of K. pneumoniae which remained resistant. Chloroform extracts in general exhibited greater antibacterial activity compared to methanol extracts. However, methanol extracts of MBS exhibited significant activity against P. aeruginosa compared to chloroform extracts and results were comparable to the standard antimicrobial antibiotic with an average MIC value of 75 mg/mL. Our finding identifies the potential use of MBS as a natural source of antibacterial agent. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanism of action of the extracts and to identify the active components responsible for the antibacterial activity. Key words: Vigna radiata (L) Wilzeck Medicinal plants Antibacterial activity Minimal inhibitory concentration INTRODUCTION Vigna Radiata (L) R. Wilzeck or Mung bean sprouts The unmethodical and indiscriminate use of in many Asian cuisines and are locally known as “yínyá” commercial antimicrobial drugs has lead to the in Chinese, “moyashi” in Japanese, “taugeh” in Malay development of multidrug resistance [1], complicating the and “togue” in Tagalog. The consumption of sprouts has choice of empirical therapy. The emerging resistance of increased its popularity in recent decades due to its many gram negative enteric pathogens continues to pose availability, easy growing methods and increased threat, yet such problem is unparallel with the discovery consumer preference for healthier food products. of alternative agents to battle the issue. Recently, much Moreover, the high nutritive value and health enhancing attention has been focused to unravel the medicinal benefits of MBS have been well documented [3]. properties of natural products and in tandem, the need to The impact of MBS in the culinary world has been search for effective new antimicrobials continues to conflicting. Consumption of raw or partially cooked escalate [2]. Such interest may pave way to the discovery sprouts has been implicated in outbreaks of Salmonella and invention of novel therapeutic agents that could spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli 0157: benefit mankind. H7 in many parts of Asian and European countries [4-6], (MBS) are edible sprouts that serve as crucial ingredients