Antibacterial Activity of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) Crudeoil Against Streptococci Organisms Isolated From Mastitis Cows

Abstract

Mastitis of cattle causes a massive economic loss worldwide. The treatment of mastitis is generally considered to be limited because of low cure rates and the cost of milk discarded during the withdrawal period. The criticism of use of antibiotics to treat mastitis is that it leads to development of resistant bacteria and presence of residual effect of antibiotic in milk. Therefore, now many researchers are turning to find non-antibiotic approaches in order to reduce the use of antibiotics. In the traditional veterinary medicine, medicinal herbs are used to treat animal diseases. This is believed to be natural and safe therapeutic methods. In this in vitro study, the Black seed (Nigella sativa) oil was examined for its antibacterial activity against one of the most common mastitis pathogen, Streptococci, in order to develop an herbal remedy for Streptococcus mastitis as a substitute for antibiotics. This is the first report demonstrating this oil on mastitis causing Streptococci. In this study, Streptococci organisms isolated from 40 clinicallyinfected milk samples were investigated. All the organisms tested were susceptible and the antibacterial effect of Black seed oil on Streptococci organisms was very significant as evidenced by the inhibition zone sizes obtained. In conclusion, the antibacterial effect of this seed on Streptococci, which causing mastitis was statistically significant and this study suggesting that Black seed oil can be used as antibacterial agent targeting on Streptococcus mastitis.