Assessment of the toxicity of selected Australian native plant extracts using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay

Thirty nine methanolic extracts from twenty five Australian native plants were investigated for toxicity using the Artemia franciscana nauplii lethality bioassay and compared to the reference toxins potassium dichromate and Mevinphos. 7 extracts (18 %) showed marked lethality towards Artemia franciscana nauplii at 24 h, 11 extracts (28 %) at 48 h and 19 extracts (49 %) at 72 h. Of the positive controls, only Mevinphos displayed significant lethality at 24 h. Potassium dichromate treatment resulted in only approximately 10 % mortality at 24 h but induced 100% mortality by 48 h. Of the non-toxic extracts, A. aulacocarpa leaf, L. bracteata leaf, L. juniperium leaf and flower, S. australe leaf and B. celsissima leaf extracts have previously been shown to be good antibacterial agents, confirming their potential for antibiotic usage. Financial support of this work was provided by the School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Griffith University, Australia.