ABSTRACT

This research work was carried out to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial potentials of Citrus aurantifolia (Lime) and honey against some bacterial strains isolated from sputum. Methods adopted include streak method for inoculation, Agar well diffusion for sensitivity testing and Broth dilution method for the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration. The morphological and biochemical examinations reveal the bacterial isolates to belong to the genera Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Kiebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli. The results showed that the lime and honey mixture exhibited very strong inhibitory effect on the growth of the tested isolates at varying degrees. The 40% mixture had the highest zone of inhibition ranging from 23.00-24.33mm while the 10% mixture had the least zone of inhibition 14.67mm. Less activity was observed when lime and honey were used singly (inhibition zone diameter range = 14.33-21.33mm and 16.33-17.00mm respectively). 40% and 30% of the mixture exhibited acidal effect against Streptococcus spp at a concentration of 25mg/mI and 50mg/ml respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration value at 40% and 30% mixture of lime and honey against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia is 25mg/ml concentration with the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration value 50mg/ml. At 20% and 10% mixture, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration value against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus spp was 200mg/ml concentration. The phytochemical screening showed presence of tannis, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. In conclusion, the mixture of lime and honey showed more activity than when they were used singly. This has scientifically proved that the use of lime and honey combination could be adopted in the treatment of people suffering from cough and that the mixture when refined could serve as a good tool in the pharmaceutical industry in manufacturing drug for the treatment of cough.