Antimicrobial Efficacy of Crude Extracts from Poppy (Papaver somniferum) and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) against Bacteria Isolated from Spoiled Fruits and Human Pathogens

Abstract

Microbial spoilage of fruits is a major challenge affecting food quality, shelf life, and public health. At the same time, the increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has created an urgent need to explore alternative antimicrobial agents derived from natural sources. Medicinal plants and spices have long been recognized for their therapeutic properties, particularly due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and essential oils. In this context, the present study evaluates the antimicrobial potential of ethanolic seed extracts of poppy (Papaver somniferum) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) against bacteria isolated from spoiled fruits as well as selected human pathogenic bacteria. Spoiled fruit samples, specifically apples and bananas, were collected and subjected to microbiological analysis to isolate and identify associated bacterial species. The isolates were cultured and characterized using standard microbiological techniques. Ethanolic extracts of poppy and fennel seeds were prepared using solvent extraction methods to obtain the active phytochemical constituents. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was evaluated using the disc diffusion method against the isolated bacteria and selected human pathogens, including Streptococcus mutans and Bacillus cereus. The results demonstrated that both poppy and fennel seed extracts exhibited measurable antibacterial activity. Significant zones of inhibition were observed, particularly against Streptococcus mutans (9 mm) and Bacillus cereus (7 mm), indicating the effectiveness of these plant extracts in inhibiting bacterial growth. The antimicrobial activity may be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds such as essential oils, phenolic compounds, and other phytochemicals known for their bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties.