Antimicrobial Effect of Lithospermi radix (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Extract

The optimum condition for the extraction of antimicrobial substance from Lithospermi radix was investigated. For the purpose of obtaining basic data for the development of natural preservatives and for the prevention of food poisoning accidents, its antimicrobial activity was tested against several kinds of saprophytic microbes and food poisoning bacteria. The optimum condition for extraction of antimicrobial substance was to steep Lithospermi radix into 95% ethanol for 24 hours at room temperature. Antimicrobial activity was observed at the pH range , but its activity became stronger at acidic condition. The result of ion exchange chromatography was showed that the antimicrobial activity of anionic portion was more apparent than that of cationic portion. The antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria was stronger than that of Gram negative bacteria and the growth of food poisoning bacteria such as S. aureus and V. parahaemolyticus was inhibited in the concentration of 0.1% for 48 hours. As for mold and yeast, the growth of some kinds of these organisms was inhibited in the concentration of 0.1 % for 48 hours and the growth of nearly all the fungi was inhibited in the concentration of 0.15% for 96 hours.