Antibacterial and antifungal activity of fourteen selected plants used in folklore medicine in Eku, Ethiope – East Local Government Area of Delta State

Abstract

The anti-bacterial and antifungal activity of fourteen selected plant extracts used in folklore medicine in Eku, Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State were screened for antimicrobial properties against three pathogenic organisms- Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus acidophilus and Collectotrichum gloeosporiodies. The inhibition zones of each of the plant extracts were measured and recorded. The result revealed that chloroform extract of Sida acuta against Proteus mirabilis, n-Hexane extract of Chromolena odorata against Streptococcus acidophilus revealed a remarkable antibacterial activity with very high zone of inhibition. Ethanol extract of Nauclea latifolia against Collectotrichum gloeosporioidies, Chloroform extract of Ocimum gratissimum against Streptococcus acidophilus, water extract of Senna ocidentalis and water extract of Carica papaya against Colletotrichum gloeosporuidis respectively showed very low antibacterial and antifungal activity. Sida acuta, Alchornea laxiflora and Chromolena odorata extracts had higher zones of inhibition over the standard antibiotic, therefore, these extracts can be used as substitutes for the antibiotics.