Comparative Antibacterial Study of Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Annona Muricata

This research project was aimed at investigating the antibacterial efficacy of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of A. muricata using agar-disc diffusion method for five clinical isolates of bacteria consisting of two gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) and three gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi) bacteria which have been implicated in the most common types of bacterial infections such as diarrhea, typhoid fever, tooth decay, etc. The antibacterial activity was measured by the diameter of zone of inhibition (mm) observed and the extracts were found to exhibit antibacterial activities against the test organisms with each organism showing different patterns of formation of zones of inhibition at different concentrations of the extracts. The results of this study revealed that S. aureus was the most susceptible gram-positive bacteria and S. typhi was the most susceptible gram-negative bacteria which indicated that this plant contains compounds with wide antibacterial activity which validates their use for treatment of various microbial infections in traditional medicine. The findings in this study provide the basis for further study on the plant with the aim of isolating and identifying the active substances responsible for its antimicrobial activities. The plant could also be standardized to develop cheap, safer, culturally acceptable herbal medicines to help combat the problem of antibiotic resistance. The extraction of A.muricata which was done by maceration yielded 14.95% and 17.63% for aqueous and ethanol extracts respectively.The difference between both extracts when compared to the standard antibiotic(Ciprofloxacin) was significant(p<0.05 level of significance) against P.aeroginosa, E coli and S.mutans.Conversely, S aureus and S.typhi showed no significant difference(p<0.05 level of significance) in their response to both extracts(400 mg/ml) and the standard drug.This shows that A.muricata extract can be  potential antimicrobial agent directed against S.aureus and S.typhi. Keywords: Annona muricata, antibacterial, extracts, comparative, ethno-medicinal.

Anti-Diabetic Activities of the Leaf and Bark Extracts of Jatropha Curcas on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Antidiabetic activity was measured using a glucometer to check blood glucose level before induction with alloxan, after induction with alloxan and after treatment with both plant extracts. The animals were divided into seven groups, two of which were used for toxicological studies, three were used as control (negative, positive and normal) while the remaining two were used for the test groups. The extracts were found to exhibit hypoglycemic activity in the animals. The results of this study also revealed that the bark extract had more of the antidiabetic properties than the leaf extract as was observed in the change in blood glucose level of the animals in those groups. Histological studies was carried out on various organs of three of the groups among the seven groups (normal control group, group treated with leaf extract and group treated with the bark extract), it was observed that tissue necrosis was more prominent in the organs of the group treated with the leaf extract as compared to those treated with the bark extract when both were compared to the organs of the normal control group. The findings in this study provided the basis for further studies on the plant with the aim of finding out the mechanism of action of the folklore antidiabetic activity and the best extraction method of the toxic compounds without destroying other active components of the plant. Keywords: Jatropha curcas, extracts, alloxan, diabetic

Nutrient and Anti-Nutritional Composition of Jam Prepared from Pineapple Ananas Comosus

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the nutrient and anti-nutritional composition of jam prepared from Pineapple (Ananas comosus). The result of the proximate analysis indicated that processing caused a reduction in the moisture (30.0 + 0.08) protein content (0.8 + 0.008). However, processing  pineapple to jam caused an increase in the crude lipid (3.4 + 0.26), Carbohydrate (58.6 + 0.30), Ash content (5.0 + 0.8) and crude fibre (2.2 + 0.08). The result obtained for the anti-nutritional factors showed that processing caused a reduction in phytate content (0.67 + 0.004), Tannin (0.19 + 0.004) and Oxalate (8.64 + 0.008). Keywords: Ananas comosus, Processing, Jam, Tannin, Crude Fat, Oxalate

Isolation and Estimation of DNA Level in Coconut Leaf (Coccos Nucifera)

The DNA Level of Coconut leaf was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and UV-double beam spectrophotometer. 30?g leaf sample was weighed; chemical homogenization using mortar and pestle was done using lyses buffer and “Morning fresh” detergent. Whole sample was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes; the supernatant was decamped into clean microcentruifuge tubes. Ethanol (500ml) was added and mixed thoroughly and incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. DNA is insoluble in ethanol and so will appear as white precipitate at the bottom of the tube. Sample was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes, thereafter the content was exposed to the atmosphere for 10 minutes to rid off remaining solvent (Ethanol). The pellets were dissolved in 50ml of TE (Tris-EDTA) buffer. The DNA (25ml) was taken and diluted in 1.75ml of TE Buffer and absorbance read at 260nm and 280nm with purity of DNA calculated followed by Electrophoresis. 25ml of the DNA sample was taken and ran on 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis using a standard marker for 60 minutes. The analysis was done in triplicate with the ratio of absorbance at 260 and 280nm (1.79, 1.76 and 1.84) showing the purity of the DNA sample. Keywords: Coccos nucifera, Percentage Purity, DNA Sample, TE Buffer, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Citrus Sinensis (orange), Citrus Limetta (sweet lime) and Citrus Limon (lemon) fruit peel oil extracts on selected causal organisms of urinary tract infection

Oils from the fruit peels of Citrus sinensis (Orange), Citrus limetta (Lime) and Citrus limon (Lemon) were extracted and investigated for their antimicrobial activities against some selected microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans). Phytochemical analysis of the oil extracts shows the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates (reducing sugar) and phenol. Flavonoids occurred in the highest amount in C. sinensis. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the various functional groups present in the extracted oils.. antimicrobial studies showed that the extracted oils had antimicrobial effect on the test organisms, which is attributed to the phytochemicals and functional groups of the oil. The oils in combination showed synergistic antimicrobial effects on the organisms tested. With C. sinensis essential oil (1.5 ml), the zone of inhibition was highest on Staphylococcus aureus. With C. limetta (1.0 ml), the inhibition zone (27 mm) was also highest on S. aureus. Concentration of 2.0 ml gave the highest inhibition (15.5 mm) on S. aureus. The zones of inhibition with different quantities of orange peel oil, against the selected microbes were not significantly different (P-Value - 0.013). There was also no significant difference in the zone of inhibition of microbes at different concentrations of lime and lemon essential oils, with PValues of 0.0956 and 0.01225 respectively. It may be concluded that essential oils of C. sinensis, C. limetta and C. limon have antimicrobial properties and may be applied in the treatment of diseases induced by the pathogens. Further research is needed to achieve appropriate formulation into dosage forms, of the test oils. The superior antimicrobial properties demonstrated by the oil blends can be exploited further with a view to generating new effective antimicrobial compounds.Keywords: Antimicrobial Activity, Urinary Tract Infections, Citrus limetta, Column Chromatography, Candida albicans.

Isolation and characterization of lactobacillus and bacillus producing biosurfactants

This study focuses on the screening, production, extraction of biosurfactants from Lactobacillus and Bacillus, and its antimicrobial properties against causal microorganisms of food borne infection (food borne pathogens). The biosurfactants were investigated for potential antimicrobial activity using disk diffusion method against causal organisms of food borne illnesses. These food borne pathogens include Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella dysentrae. Biosurfactant producing isolates were identified using blood haemolysis test, oil spreading technique and drop collapse assay. Emulsification assay of positive isolates was performed at pH 4, 6, 8, 10), temperatures 4ºC, 25ºC, 37ºC), NaCl concentrations (4%,6%,8%,10%), different sources of carbon (glucose, sucrose) and nitrogen sources - urea, yeast.Keywords: Biosurfactants, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Emulsificatio

Effects of industrial grade calcium carbide on haematological parameters of Wister albino rats

The indiscriminate use of calcium carbide to force- ripe fruit is a threat to consumers’ health. This study evaluates the haematological changes induced by ingestion of industrial grade calcium carbide on rats. The rats were randomly assigned to a control group which received only food and water and a test group which, in addition to food and water, were fed calcium carbide daily for a period of 4 weeks. After the initial two weeks, three rats from each group were separated into other corresponding cages where exposure to calcium carbide was discontinued for another two weeks. The animals from each group were sacrificed after the fourth week and blood was collected by cardiac puncture for haematological analysis. Results obtained showed lowered values of red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and neutrophil (p˂0.05) with increase in mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and lymphocyte (p < 0.05). White blood cell count (WBC) and mean cell volume fluctuated between reduced and increased values when compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed in the assessed parameters after withdrawal of calcium carbide. Ingestion of industrial grade calcium carbide is toxic to the blood of laboratory rats and may be deleterious to human health following long-term exposur

Antimicrobial effect of lactobacillus and bacillus derived biosurfactants on some food borne pathogens

This study focused on the screening, production, extraction of biosurfactants from Lactobacillus and Bacillus bacteria and their antimicrobial properties against causal microorganisms of food borne infections (food borne pathogens). The biosurfactants were investigated for potential antimicrobial activity using disk diffusion. The food borne pathogens used included Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi & Shigella dysenterae. Biosurfactant producing isolates were identified using blood haemolysis test, oil spreading technique and drop collapse assay. Emulsification assay of positive isolates was performed at pHs 4, 6, 8 and 10, and at temperatures 4ºC, 25ºC, 37ºC), with different concentrations of NaCl (4%, 6%, 8%, 10%), different sources of carbon (glucose, sucrose) and different nitrogen sources (urea, yeast). Biosurfactant L4 derived from Lactobacillus showed significant antagonistic property against Salmonella typhi at 25 μL concentration while B1 derived from Bacillus showed the most antagonistic activity against Shigella dysentrae at 40 μL concentration. The biosurfactants showed distinct antibacterial activity towards tested organisms.Keywords: Biosurfactants, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Antimicrobial Activity, biosurfactant

Effects of calcium carbide on some biochemical parameters of liver and kidney of Wister albino rats

The indiscriminate use of calcium carbide to force fruits to ripen is a threat to consumers’ health. This study evaluates some biochemical changes in liver and kidney induced by ingestion of calcium carbide in rats. Therats were randomly assigned to a control group which received only food and water and a test group which, in addition to food and water, were fed calcium carbide daily for a period of 4 weeks. After the initial two weeks three rats from each group were separated into other corresponding cages where exposure to calcium carbide was discontinued for another two weeks. The animals from each group were sacrificed after the fourth week and blood was collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Results obtained showed significant (p˂0.05) increase in values of ALP, AST and creatinine after four weeks of administration and after two weeks withdrawal of calcium carbide. A significant decrease (p˂0.05) in ALT after four weeks of administration and after two weeks withdrawal of calcium carbide was also observed. There was no significant (p˃0.05) change in the value of urea after four weeks of administration of calcium carbide, however, the values fluctuated significantly after two weeks withdrawal of calcium carbide. Ingestion ofcalcium carbide is toxic to the liver and kidney of laboratory rats and may be deleterious to human health following long-term exposure

Comparative phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and methanol leaf and bark extracts of Carica papaya

The leaves and bark of Carica papaya (Pawpaw) were subjected to solvent extraction using both water and methanol. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of the extracts was performed followed by antimicrobial studies against some bacteria using the agar-well diffusion method. The phytochemical analysis showed that the extracts contained alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The methanol extracts were observed to be more active than the aqueous extracts and the leaf extracts had higher antimicrobial effect at all working concentrations than the bark extracts. The zones of inhibition for the methanol leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 200 mg/ml concentration were 45.50±1.125, 44.00±0.893, 31.00±1.106, and 38.00±0.625 mm respectively while those of the bark extracts for the above mentioned organisms were 42 50+1.125, 41.00+0.0803,3.00+ 1.016 and 0.00 mm respectively. The aqueous bark extract did not show significant activity. All the extracts showed activity against the test organisms except Escherichia coli where no zone of inhibition was produced. Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest zones in all the extracts followed by Bacillus subtilis and Enterobacter aerogenes while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the least sensitive. All the extracts demonstrated higher activities against the Gram-positive than the Gram-negative bacteria tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the leaf and bark extracts ranged between 25 – 200 mg/ml.KEYWORDS: Carica papaya, phytochemical properties, MIC, antimicrobial