263ANTIBIOFILM, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF WATER EXTRACT OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWERSThe antibacterial and antbiofilm activities of water extract of Calendula officinalis flowers against some of enteropathogenic bacteria was studied, also phytochemical screening and determination of antioxidant activity of the extract has been investigated. The results showed that the water extract of C. officinalis exhibited a good antibacterial activity against all pathogenic bacterial isolates (Salmonella, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei and E. coli) especially at concentration 100 µg/ml in contrast with the control cefotan antibiotic. S. sonnei was more sensitive to extract than other bacteria with highest inhibition zone (23 mm). The preliminary phytochemical tests results indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides and phenols, while tannins and reducing sugars absence in the extracts. Water extract (at concentration 100 µg/ml) caused 74.6% lipid peroxidation inhibition of linoleic acid emulsion, this activity was greater than other concentrations (25 and 50 µg/ml) and standard α-tocopherol (63%). Also, it was found that aqueous extracts decreased the adherent growth of bacteria on glass tubes. The results indicated that all isolates have the ability to form biofilms with different thickness degrees, the absorbance values were ranged between (1.04 - 1.68), the Salmonella isolate was the best isolate formed biofilm with highest absorbance value (1.68). On the other hand C. officinalis extract inhibited bacterial adhesion on polystyrene surface and consequently caused biofilms detachment and this revealed decreased in absorbance values of biofilms. These reported activities for C.officinalis flowers extract allow their listing as potential antibiofilm, antibacterial and antioxidant natural agents. This might suggest their use as therapeutic agents for treatment enteric infections.kaiskassim@gmail.comResearch472013Calendula officinalis,Water extract,Antibiofilm,Antibacterial,AntioxidantKais Kassim Ghaima, Shaymaa Fouad Rasheed,Entissar Faroun AhmedInstitute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Al jadiria, Baghdad, Iraq.,Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Al Jadiria, Baghdad, Iraq.,Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Al Jadiria, Baghdad, Iraq.