Use of Citronella Extract as an Inhibitory Substance in Selective Media for the Inhibition of Non-Pathogenic Bacteria / Billy Joel B. Baguio ; Kristine Carl B. Beltran ; Juan Cirilo B. Bonifacio ; Lara Cassandra R. Chioco ; Clarisse Mae M. Fajardo ; Andrea Moonyeen M. Fernando ; Nicolas IV L. Fernandez ; Alyssa J. Flora ; Karen Joy R. Forel ; Geneve Lourmi Trazo and Ralph Alejandro M. Ugay.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) has been reported to exhibit antibacterial activities. This study used citronella crude extract with the aim of providing an alternative medium to selectively grow pathogenic bacteria and inhibit non-pathogenic species on blood agar and blood agar base. Citronella crude extract was used to supplement blood agar medium and blood agar base medium to determine if: non-pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, would be inhibited while pathogenic bacteria, namely Staphylcoccus aureus and Salmonella spp., would be allowed to grow. Different concentrations of the crude extract were added to blood agar and blood agar base (without blood). The results showed that any concentration of citronella extract did not inhibit any of the bacterial species used. It is concluded that citronella crude extract cannot be used as an inhibitory substance in the preparation of selective media for Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp.

Thesis - School of Medical Technology