Antibacterial Activity Of Citrussinensis Peels On Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli And Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Wound Infections:- Aninweze, Obinna .N.

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at assessing the extracts ofpeels ofripe and unripe Citrus sinensis as a veritable alternative therapy for treatment of wound infections. The results obtained revealed the presence of five bacterial in varying degrees, the most prominent being Klebsiella spp (36.73%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (19.53%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.85%), Escherichia coli (17.97%), then Streptococcus pyogenes (10.94%). The antibacterial assay of the extracts showed that various concentrations 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml, lOOmg/ml, 150mg/ml and 200mg/ml of the unripe Citrus sinensis peels produced zones of inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranging from 7.00mm to 16.63mm on Staphylococcus aureus to 7.50mm to 15.00mm on Pseudomonas aeiuginosa. Extracts from ripe Citrus sinensis did not show any zone of inhibition at all on any of the test isolates. Phytochemical analysis of the unripe peel extracts revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Cyanogenic Glycosides, Phenol, Tannins and Saponins. Concern over abuse of antibiotics and the resultant resistance associated with it has prompted several other investigations into natural plant materials as possible alternative, easily affordable, sources of wound infection treatment.