Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass due to its lemon fragrance when crushed. Due to the presence of many phytochemicals in lemongrass, their use in the treatment of illnesses has increased. The antimicrobial activity of Cymbopogoncitratus (Lemongrass) was evaluated on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans. The extract was obtained using two solvents; ethanol and methanol. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested for by the agar well sensitivity diffusion test method. The efficacy of the extract on the inhibition of bacteria was most prominent on S. typhi, S. pyogenes and C. albicans. This inhibitory effect was not observed on P. aeruginosa. The methanolic extract showed 4mm zone of inhibition on the bacteria and 5mm zone of inhibition on the fungus, thus, showing more activity than the ethanolic extract with 1mm zone of inhibition on the bacteria, and resistance on fungi. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the methanolic extract was at 1000µg/ml and that of the ethanolic extract was at 2000µg/ml. The Minimal Lethal Concentration (MLC) of the lemongrass extract was at 4000µg/ml. Lemongrass is non toxic to humans and have been used as medicinal drink.
