Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity Screening of Ether Extract of Afromomum melegueta Seed
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Microbiology - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 1
Abstract
Aim: The search for new antimicrobials as a result of antibiotic failure has led to the development of new antibiotic scaffolds. In the African sub-continent, this has translated to exploration of her rich flora for potential leads. This work investigated the antimicrobial potential of ether extract of Afromomum melegueta seeds against three candidate microbes- Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Methodology: Seeds of A. melegueta were extracted with petroleum ether using cold maceration technique; standardized chemical tests were employed for phytochemical screening and the agar-well diffusion method used for antimicrobial analysis of the obtained extract. Results: Findings indicate that the extract displayed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans with maximum inhibition zones of 5, 10 and 3 mm at extract concentration of 25, 20 and 25%, respectively. The observed antimicrobial activity may be as a consequence of the phytochemistry of the seeds, as preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the seeds to contain saponin, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, tannin and phenolic compounds. The ability of the extract to inhibit microbes with diverse morphology indicates that the antimicrobial bioactive principles therein may have broad specificity. Conclusion: The result of our study further reinforces the importance of A. melegueta seeds in ethnomedical practices and its use in culinary. Further investigation is however needed to isolate and mechanistically investigate the bioactive antimicrobial principles for potential development into generic antimicrobials.
Authors and Affiliations
F. U. Eneh, C. N. Ezekwesili, G. C. Ugochukwu, U. T. Okolo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP338203
- DOI 10.9734/JAMB/2017/36869
- Views 85
- Downloads 0
Production of Alpha Amylase by Bacillus subtilis Using Maize Husk as Substrate
Aim: To produce alpha amylase by Bacillus subtilis using maize husk as substrate. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between August 2016 and December 2016. Methodology...
A New Spore Wall Protein 9 Gene Cloned from Nosema pernyi (Microsporidia) Isolated from Chinese Oak Silkworm, Antheraea pernyi
Aims: China has plenty of oak trees that form the cradle of tussah (Antheraea pernyi) industry. Pebrine is a serious disease along with tussah rearing and is difficult to solve. This pathogen named Nosema pernyi, which c...
Optimizing C:N Ratio, C:P Ratio, and pH for Biosurfactant Production by Pseudomonas fluorescens
Aim: To optimize the combination of selected culture medium parameters so as to achieve maximum biosurfactant production from Pseudomonas fluorescens. Study Design: (1) Culturing P. fluorescens for biosurfactant producti...
The Antimicrobial Effects of Secondary Metabolites of Anguillan Fungi
Introduction: Many drugs have been isolated from fungal species. This study aims at identifying fungal species isolated in Anguilla in order to determine the antimicrobial effect of their secondary metabolites from pure...
Prevalence of Salmonella typhi Infection in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Salmonella typhi infection in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Place of Study: Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State; Department of...