TITLE:
Antimicrobial Properties and Phytochemical Composition of Garcinia kola, Bryophyllum pinnatum, and Allium sativum Juices on Some Clinical Pathogens
AUTHORS:
Smart Enoch Amala, Simeon Nicholas Nweke, Rhoda Nwalozie, Tombari Pius Monsi
KEYWORDS:
Antimicrobial, Phytochemical, Plant Juices, Pathogens
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.12 No.11,
November
30,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Medicinal plants have been in use since the origin of man. Many
important chemical substances with biological functions that could be used for
treatment and prevention of attack from bacteria, fungi, herbivorous mammals
and insects are produced by different plants. Such compounds with useful
properties have been recorded in their numbers, about 12,000 accounting for
about 10% of total plant species. Aim: The aim of the study was to
determine the antimicrobial efficacies of herbal extracts on some clinical pathogens. Methods: The antimicrobial activities of pressed juices of Allium sativum (garlic), Bryophyllum pinnatum and Garcinia kola neats and their dilutions were tested on
pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans to
determine their susceptibility to the juices and their combinations. Agar well diffusion method was
employed on Muller-Hinton agar to determine their antimicrobial
susceptibility pattern. The phytochemical analysis of the plants’ juices were
also determined. Results: At 100% (neat) the juices of G. kola, B. pinnatum and Garcinia kola showed substantial zones of inhibition against the pathogens with a zone diameter of about 22.0 mm and above. At 75%
concentrations, the juices inhibited the pathogens tested against them. A. sativum (garlic) inhibited K. pneumonia, P. mirabilis, and S. aureus even at 50% concentration. C. albicans isolates were 60%
susceptible to G. kola juice, 40% at 100% concentration. At 75% concentration of the juice, C. albicans isolates were also
60% susceptible to the juices. At 50% - 100% concentrations, C. albicans isolates were 100%
sensitive to A. sativum extract. Conclusions: The medicinal plant juices tested against the
pathogens possess some potentials worth exploiting as potent antimicrobial agents on gram-positive, gram-negative
bacteria and the fungus.