Action of aqueous extracts of bearberry and cowberry leaves and wild camomile and pineapple-weed flowers on Escherichia coli surface structures

The action of aqueous extracts of bearberry and cowberry leaves and wild camomile and pineapple-weed flowers on the aggregation activity of Escherichia coli strains was studied by way of salt aggregation test (SAT). We established the titers at which the aqueous extracts of bearberry and cowberry were able to enhance the aggregation of microbes and the titers at which the aqueous extracts of wild camomile and pineapple-weed were able to block it. The action of bearberry and cowberry aqueous extract on the surface structures of E. coli depended on the methods used for preparing the extracts. The titers of bearberry and cowberry maceration were 4-8-times higher than those of the corresponding decoctions. After heating the maceration of the above mentioned drugs, the titers fell 64- and 256-times, respectively. Aqueous extracts from bearberry and cowberry contain two types of substances enhancing the aggregation of E. coli; the substances are thermostable in decoctions and thermolabile in macerations. the constituents of wild camomile and pineapple-weed flowers blocking the aggregation of E. coli are thermostable.