Objective: To establish a scientific basis for the antibacterial action of Solanum torvum Swartz (Solanaceae), a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat bacterial infections. Methodology and results: Extracts from this plant were tested on the in vitro growth of strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and Salmonella sp in liquid and solid Mueller-Hinton media. The results showed that these extracts had a dose-dependent antibacterial activity on the bacterial strains used. However, the 100% acetone extract had better antibacterial potential on the E. coli strain (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and BMC = 1.563 mg/mL) than on Salmonella sp (MIC = 3.125 mg/mL and BMC = 6.25 mg/mL) and K. pneumoniae (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and BMC = 12.5 mg/mL). Conclusion and application of results: This extract can be used to develop phytomedicines against gastroenteritis caused by E. coli and Salmonella sp.