Home >>
ABSTRACT
P. guajava and D. microcaroum are common medicinal plants grown naturally in most parts of tropical and subtropical regions of Northern Nigeria. They are used traditionally in treating Diarrhea in children, especially at the age of teething. This study was conducted to detect, isolate and identify E. coli O157:H7 from diarrheal stools of children and evaluate the antibacterial activities of P. guajava and D. microcarpum extracts against the test bacteria. A total number of hundred (100) samples were collected from the Children's Clinic of General Hospital Gusau, Zamfara State, using standard microbiological procedures. E. coli O157:H7 is an important human pathogen, implicated as one of the important causative agents of Diarrhea in children. The test organism was detected, isolated and identified using Cultural Growth Characteristics, Gram reactions, Serology, Biochemical tests and Molecular screenings. The plant's extracts were obtained using Soxhlex Apparatus with Methanol as solvent. Phytochemical screening of the plant extracts revealed Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins and Saponins. Antibacterial activities of the aqueous methanolic extracts of the test plants against E. coli O157:H7 were evaluated using Sensitivity Tests, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal concentration (MBC). The most active phytochemical compounds were obtained by fractionation using Chromatography. The chemical structure of the most active phytochemical was elucidated using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Confirmation of the antibacterial activities of the test plants lends credence to the traditional use of those plants in treating Diarrhea in children, especially those of teething age. It is therefore recommended that P. guajava and D. microcarpum be further purified to yield templates for the synthesis of Orthodox drugs for treating Diarrhea in children.
Keywords: Molecular Detection, Antibacterial Activity, E. coli O157:H7, P. guajava
The Beam journal of arts and science
ISSN: 1118-5953 www.uaspolysok.edu.ng/jounal
ISSN: 1118-5953 www.uaspolysok.edu.ng/jounal