Comparative Antimicrobial Activity of Different Plant Parts of Crambe orientalis var. orientalis (Brassicaceae)

In this study, the antimicrobial potential of Crambe orientalis var. orientalis was determined by comparative analysis of the fatty oil obtained from its fruits and methanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from different parts of the plant (flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, and aerial parts). Plant materials were extracted using maceration and decoction methods, and their yields were compared. Methanol extracts generally yielded higher amounts, with the aerial parts being the richest. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and C. tropicalis using the microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The methanol extract of the flowers and aerial parts exhibited notable antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus and E. coli (MIC = 625 µg/mL). Leaf extracts also showed antifungal activity against C. albicans. The fatty oil demonstrated the strongest activity against S. aureus. The results showed that C. orientalis var. orientalis is a promising source for natural antimicrobial agents, with the leaves and aerial parts standing out in terms of bioactivity.