Thesis Abstract

Abstract
In recent years, the rise of antimicrobial resistance has posed a significant threat to public health globally. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts against clinically relevant pathogens as a potential alternative to combat this growing issue. The research was guided by the need to explore natural sources of antimicrobial agents that could be effective against a range of pathogens. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the study, outlining the background of the research, the problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and key definitions. The chapter sets the stage for understanding the importance of exploring plant extracts as potential antimicrobial agents. Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive literature review covering ten key aspects related to antimicrobial properties of plant extracts and their effectiveness against clinically relevant pathogens. This section synthesizes existing knowledge and research findings to provide a solid foundation for the study. Chapter 3 details the research methodology employed in this study, including the selection of plant extracts, extraction techniques, antimicrobial testing methods, and data analysis procedures. The chapter outlines the steps taken to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the selected plant extracts. Chapter 4 consists of an in-depth discussion of the findings obtained from the antimicrobial testing of plant extracts against clinically relevant pathogens. The chapter analyzes the results, identifies trends, discusses the implications of the findings, and compares them with existing literature to draw meaningful conclusions. Chapter 5 serves as the conclusion and summary of the thesis, highlighting the key findings, implications, limitations of the study, and recommendations for future research. The chapter provides a concise overview of the research outcomes and their significance in the context of combating antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts and their potential application in addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of plant extracts as alternative antimicrobial agents and underscore the importance of further exploration in this field.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Investigating the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts against clinically relevant pathogens" aims to explore the potential of plant extracts as alternative antimicrobial agents against pathogens that pose significant health threats. With the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance among pathogens, there is a growing need to discover and develop new antimicrobial agents. Plant extracts have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties and have shown promising antimicrobial activity in various studies. This research will focus on investigating the antimicrobial properties of selected plant extracts against clinically relevant pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The study will involve the extraction of bioactive compounds from different plant sources using various extraction techniques. These plant extracts will then be evaluated for their antimicrobial activity through in vitro assays, such as disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) tests. The project will also aim to elucidate the mechanisms of action of the plant extracts against the target pathogens. This will involve studying the effects of the extracts on the cell membranes, cell walls, enzymatic activity, and other cellular processes of the pathogens. Additionally, the potential synergistic effects of combining different plant extracts or combining plant extracts with conventional antibiotics will be investigated to enhance antimicrobial efficacy. Furthermore, the research will address the safety profile of the plant extracts by evaluating their cytotoxicity using mammalian cell lines. This is crucial to ensure that the plant extracts do not cause harm to human cells while exhibiting antimicrobial activity against pathogens. The findings from this study have the potential to contribute to the development of novel antimicrobial agents from natural sources, which can be explored further for clinical applications. Overall, this research project seeks to advance our understanding of the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts and their potential as alternative antimicrobial agents against clinically relevant pathogens. By exploring the diverse natural sources of bioactive compounds, this study aims to provide valuable insights that could lead to the development of new therapeutic options to combat infectious diseases and address the challenges of antimicrobial resistance.