Antibacterial Activities of different Solvent Extracts of Carica Papaya Fruit Parts on some Gram Positive and Gram Negative Organisms

Abstract

Aside its nutritional values, there are speculations that Carica papaya, also known as paw paw, has antibacterial
potentials. This study evaluates the antibacterial potentials of different extracts of C.papaya parts, in comparison
with standard drugs (perflacine and cefuroxine). Dried and grinded papaya leaves (5g), fruit peels (5g); and seeds
(5g), respectively mixed with 95ml of extraction solvent (water, ethanol, 1% HCl, acetone and petroleum ether) for
24 hours, were used for this study. The constituent compounds were filtered aseptically and inoculated unto
MacConkey and Nutrient agars to verify the sterility of the solutions for utilization. Results showed high
antimicrobial activity for the extracts of C.papaya in petroleum ether with a Minimun Inhibitory Concentration
(MIC) of 2mg/ml as against 4mg/ml and 6mg/ml for perflacine and cefuroxine respectively. Extracts in 1% HCl and
ethanol however, showed antimicrobial activity against the gram positive and negative organisms investigated, while
extracts in water was only active against Escherichia coli and S. aureus. No statistical difference (P<0.05) was
observed in the antimicrobial activities between the extracts of petroleum ether and the standard antimicrobial drugs.
These suggest that C. papaya may be used as an antibiotic, and extracts in petroleum ether seems more potent.

Key words: Carica papaya, Antimicrobial, Extraction solvents, Plant parts.