The challenge posed to the health sector by the use of catheter is as synonymous to its importance. Catheters encourage
biofilm formation leading to bacteriuria, cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis and death in severe cases. This study was aimed
at the prevention of E. coli biofilm formation using methanolic extracts of 3 different plants, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica
and Ocimum gratissimum. Plant extractions were carried using the solvent methanol via cold extraction. Varying concentrations
of the extracts were prepared (5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/mL) and used to coat 63 catheters using mild heat from water bath. Biofilm
formation was analyzed using aerobic plate count and Optical density (OD600) count. From the results obtained Psidium guajava,
Mangifera indica and Ocimum gratissimum were not able to prevent the growth E. coli species but delayed the onset of biofilm
formation for about a week. Ocimum gratissium had the highest inhibitory effect at 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/L and 20.0 mg/mL with
colony forming unit ranging from (2.2×105 -7.0×104 and 5.7×105- 3.7×105) for day 5 and 7 analysis respectively. Psidium guajava
had the lowest inhibitory effect at these concentrations, with colony forming unit ranging from (4.3×105-1.9×103 and 7.7×105-
3.8×105) for day 5 and 7 analysis respectively. Although the three extracts varied in their antimicrobial capacity, the differences
however, were statistically not significant. Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica and Ocimum gratissimum still remains a good choice
against several pathogenic organisms and in ethnomedicine but can only be used for short term catheterizatio
