ABSTRACT

Antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Xylopia aethiopica and Monodora myristica were assayed against S. aureus, E coli, P. aeruginosa and Salmonella sp. These organisms are known to be commonly associated with food poisoning or food spoilage. The screening test of the seeds, hull and pods (seeds and hull) of X. aethiopica and M. myristica were carried out on the test organisms using disc diffusion method. Al varied concentrations aqueous extracts of X aethiopica (pod) gave highest zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa { (13mm) and Monodora myristica gave highest zone of inhibition against E. coli. However, the results showed different zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bacteriocidal concentration Aqueous extract of X. aethiopica had MIC 500g/ml, 250g/ml and 500g/ml on S. aureus, E.coli, P. aeruginosa respectively and MBC of 1 000µg/ml only on S. aureus. M. myristica had MIC of 250g/ml, 500g/ml and 500g/ml on Salmonella sp, S.aureus and E. Coli respectively. Ethanol extracts showed low or no significant effect on the test organisms. The findings suggest that X aethiopica showed antibacterial activity on S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. M. myritica showed antibacterial activity on Salmonella sp. S. aureus and E. Coli. These plants can be used as potential source for new drugs in treating infections caused by some of these microorganisms. It is therefore recommended that people should use these plants in cooking as they have bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal properties.