AN EXTRACT DERIVED FROM THE SHOOTS OF CASHEW FOR USE AS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT. THE EXTRACT HAS BOTH ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL PROPERTIES, AND MOREOVER, HAS THE ABILITY TO TREAT BIOFILM RELATED INFECTIONS. THUS, A COMPOSITION COMPRISING THE EXTRACT CAN BE USED FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF MICROBIAL INFECTION. THE MOST ILLUSTRATIVE DRAWING IS FIGURE 6.