Studies on the Antimicrobial Activities of Aframomum melegueta (Ataare) Seeds

Abstract

Three extracts of Aframomum melegueta seeds namely; water, methanol and ethanol were tested for antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, S. aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the organisms except C. albicans and E. faecalis showed varying degrees of sensitivity. The largest zones of inhibition occurred with Staphylococcus species and E. coli, which were more sensitive to the effect of the extract than the other organisms. The aqueous extract was found to be the least active when compared with the ethanol and methanol extracts, which had comparable inhibitory effects. The antimicrobial activity of Aframomum melegueta seed extract compared favourably with that of streptomycin on the tested organisms. The aqueous extract was found to be bacteriostatic, while the alcoholic extracts were bactericidal at higher concentrations. This work has shown that the grains of Aframomum melegueta seeds possess active ingredients that may be exploited for local development of antimicrobials.

Keywords: Antimicrobial properties, Aframomum melegueta, seed extract.

Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol. 13 (2) 2004: pp. 57-61