THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS SOLVENT TYPE EXTRACTS FROM SELECTIVE FRUITS AND EDIBLE PLANTS

As part of a research initiative to evaluate food crops for their nutritional and herbal values, the antimicrobial activity of the n-C6H14, CH2C12 and CH3CH20H extract of Brassica rapa chinensis, Artocarpus altilis, Solanum melongena fruits and leaves of Moringa oleifera were investigated. Each plant part was subjected to selective extraction using the above solvents. Antimicrobial activity was investigated asceptically, using the Disc Diffusion Assay at a concentrations of 0.025g/ml, 0.05g/ml and O.lg/ml against pathogens: E. coli, S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis, K. pneumoniae and C. albicans for Brassica rapa chinensis and Artocarpus altilis. Also, the combined CH3CH20H and n-C6H14 extracts of A. altilis and Brassica rapa chinensis were investigated. The n-C6H14 and CH3CH20H extract of Solanum melongena fruit and leaves of Moringa oleifera were tested for their antimicrobial activity at concentrations of 5%, 10% and 20% of crude extracts. The diameter of the zone of inhibition, DZOI was used as the food crop antimicrobial potency. The highest AZOI of 209.34 mm2 was induced by the CH3CH20H extract of Brassica rapa chinensis against E. coli at a concentration of 0.025g/ml. The lowest AZOI of 12.56 mm2 was induced by Brassica rapa chinensis against Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of 0.025g/ml. Both the n-C6H14 and CH3CH20H extracts of Solanum melongena fruit and Moringa oleifera leaves showed greater antibacterial activity at a higher concentration of 20% of crude extract. The order of bacteria susceptibility to Moringa oleifera extract being S. aureus > K. pneumoniae > E.coli, whereas that for Solanum Melongena extract being S. aureus > E.coli > K. pneumoniae. The area of zone of inhibition ranged from 44.15 mm2 to 53.55 mm2. Selective antimicrobial activity were observed for all four food crop extracts. Thus, the above food crops can be used as antibacterial agents in addition to their nutritional values