# Potential Role of Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals Against Foodborne Pathogens
## 3 Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals against Bacteria Causing Foodborne Diseases
### Staphylococcus aureus  
_Staphylococcus aureus_ (_S. aureus_), a Gram-positive, coagulase producing facultative anaerbe is a major cause of foodborne diseases and hospitalization [104]. In addition to causing clinical infections, _S. aureus_ also causes food poisoning (a foodborne disease). Individuals suffering from _Staphylococcal_ food poisoning are presented with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and profuse vomiting usually between 1-8 h after food consumption [116]. This pathogen produces exoproteins that are heat stable and are known as _Staphylococcal_ enterotoxins (SEs). These toxins act as virulence factors [117] and are mostly responsible for food poisoning and are grouped into five toxin groups designated classically as SEA to SEE. Other _Staphylococcal_ enterotoxins (SEG to SER and SEU) have also been described recently [118; 119; 120]. _Staphylococcal_ foodborne disease outbreak without harboring enterotoxins has also been reported [121]. Traditional medicine is widely practiced in South Africa for treating GIT problems. [PERSON] et al. evaluated the anti-staphylococcal activity of plants used in traditional medicine for GIT related problems including diarrhea and vomiting which are indication of food poisoning. They found that the medicinal plants including _Aloe arborescens_ [PERSON], _Aloe striata_ [PERSON], _Cyatlulla uncinulata_ ([PERSON].) [PERSON], _Eucomis autumnalis_ ([PERSON].) [PERSON], _Eucomis comosa_ ([PERSON].) [PERSON], _Hypoxia latifolia_ [PERSON], _Hernbstaedtia odorata_ (Burch. ex Moq.) [PERSON], _Scilla nervosa_ ([PERSON].) [PERSON], _Pelargonium solidides_ [PERSON], _Psidium guajava_ [PERSON] and _Hydona africana_ [PERSON]. possess strong antibacterial potential towards _S. aureus_ and validates the scientific evidence of the use of these plants for food poisoning caused by _S. aureus_[73]. The plant extracts of _Aristolchia indica_, _Cuscuta pediculata_, _Melilotus indicius_ and _Tribulus terrestris_ fruit which are traditionally used in Pakistan for various ailments including diarrhea have anti-staphylococcal activity [122]. From Togo, anti-staphylococcal activity has been reported for _Holarthena floribunda_ (G.Don) [PERSON] [123], from Cameroon, for _Vismia rubescens_ [PERSON], _Vismia laurentii_ [PERSON] [124; 125], from South Africa, _Chrysophyllum albidum_ [PERSON]. [PERSON], _Terminali vorensis_ [PERSON]. [126; 127], from Sudan, _Combretum hartmannianum_ [PERSON], _Combretum pentagonum_ [PERSON], _Anogeissus schimperi_ [PERSON]. ex [PERSON]. & [PERSON] and _Terminalia arjuna_ (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn. [128], from Egypt, clove (_Syzygium aromaticum_), cress (_Lepidium sativum_ L.), lemongrass(_Cymbopogon citratus_ (DC.) [PERSON]), Oregono (_Origanum vulgare_ L.), rosmearny (_Rosmarrius officinalis_ L.), sage (_Salvia officinalis_ L.) [129], from Algeria, _Stachys guyoniana_ [PERSON] and _Menttha aquatic_ L., _Centaurea dilatua_ Ait. subsp. _algeriensis_, _Ferula vesceritensis_ [PERSON]. & [PERSON] ex Trab., _Genista saharae_ [PERSON]. & [PERSON] and _Zilla macroptera_ [PERSON]. [130; 131; 132] and _Clerodendrum myricoides_ ([PERSON].) [PERSON] from Kenya, [133]. Juglone is a natural compound occurring in plants such as black walnut (_Juglans nigra_ L.). This compound has antibacterial property and inhibits _S. aureus_ by binding to DNA and disrupts cell wall synthesis, thus stressing the bacterial cells to increasing peroxididative environment [134]. Tetrandrine is an alkaloid isolated from the radix of _Stephania tetrandra_ [PERSON]. [PERSON]. It inhibits _S. aureus_ by binding to the peptidoglycan [135]. _Frazinus rhypchophylla_ Hance and its active constituent fracretin is antibacterial to _S. aureus_ via inhibition of essential proteins synthesis. It also decreases the activity of topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II [136]. Several researchers have reported active compounds from medicinal plants that are active against staphylococcal bacteria [137; 138; 139]. Essential oils are also utilized against _S.