PRELIMINARY ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF 4 SOUTH-AFRICAN ASTERACEAE SPECIES

Organic and aqueous solvent extracts of Arctotis auriculata Jacq., Eri ocephalus africanus L., Felicia erigeroides DC., and Helichrysum crisp um (L.) D. Don, were investigated for selective antimicrobial activiti es. Organic extracts of A. auriculata and H. crispum inhibited the gro wth of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The same extracts, together with organ ic extracts of F. erigeroides, were active against Pseudomonas aerugin osa. Antifungal activities against Candida albicans were exhibited by organic extracts of E. africanus, F. erigeroides, and H. crispum. Orga nic extracts of A. auriculata and E. africanus, as well as the aqueous extract of the latter plant, were active against Staphyllococcus aure us.