Reflection:
During this lab we tried to find potential cures for human ailments by finding plant materials and grinding them up into extracts. We did this to try and find antibiotic activity that we could extract to kill and prevent growth in bacteria. These types of experiments are important because, since many plants are used in medicines, these tests could allow us to test other plants to see if they also kill bacteria. This could help to find new cures for other diseases and make other advances in medicine and antibiotics.
During this lab we tried to find potential cures for human ailments by finding plant materials and grinding them up into extracts. We did this to try and find antibiotic activity that we could extract to kill and prevent growth in bacteria. These types of experiments are important because, since many plants are used in medicines, these tests could allow us to test other plants to see if they also kill bacteria. This could help to find new cures for other diseases and make other advances in medicine and antibiotics.
Results:
In the MeOH dish, the extract didn't show any antibacterial activity. Clearing mean there is antibacterial activity, and no clearing means there is no antibacterial activity. All three filter papers in the H2O extract showed antibacterial activity. There was a clearing of about 1.5mm around the filter papers. Both of the positive controls had about a 1mm clearing around them. Both of the negative controls had clearings around them. Our results show that the H2O extracts do contain antibacterial material, but I find that weird because water has no properties that could kill bacteria. Both the positive and negative controls had clearings. The MeOH did not show any antibiotic activity, unlike the H2O extracts.
In the MeOH dish, the extract didn't show any antibacterial activity. Clearing mean there is antibacterial activity, and no clearing means there is no antibacterial activity. All three filter papers in the H2O extract showed antibacterial activity. There was a clearing of about 1.5mm around the filter papers. Both of the positive controls had about a 1mm clearing around them. Both of the negative controls had clearings around them. Our results show that the H2O extracts do contain antibacterial material, but I find that weird because water has no properties that could kill bacteria. Both the positive and negative controls had clearings. The MeOH did not show any antibiotic activity, unlike the H2O extracts.
Errors:
During our experiment we could have had some human errors. We could have accidentally switched the negative and positive controls or have somehow gotten our own human bacteria into the experiment, due to sterile issues and errors. We could have also used incorrect measurements when making the extracts. The next step in this experiment would be to recreate this lab over, and over again to get more accurate results and chances to test other plants for antibiotic activity.
During our experiment we could have had some human errors. We could have accidentally switched the negative and positive controls or have somehow gotten our own human bacteria into the experiment, due to sterile issues and errors. We could have also used incorrect measurements when making the extracts. The next step in this experiment would be to recreate this lab over, and over again to get more accurate results and chances to test other plants for antibiotic activity.