Invitro antibacterial study on Irvingia Gabonensis (bush mango) against Escherichia coli

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to antibacterial drugs in the treatment of some bacterial infections has become a serious threat, consequently causing untold hardship to patients and a challenge to healthcare practitioners. The antibacterial activity of cold, hot water and ethanolic extract of stem bark of Irvingia gabonensis against Escherichia coli was evaluated using Agar-well and Disc diffusion method. Tetracycline was used as positive control while distilled water and ethanol as negative controls. The organism was susceptible to ethanol extract with the diameter zone of inhibition range between 15mm-25mm in well-in-agar method and 10mm-15mm in paper disc diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was 200mg/ml respectively. Saponins, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, phylobatanins and alkaloids are the phytochemical elements detected from the I.gabonensis bark stem extract. This study suggests that the bark extract of I.gabonensis has advantageous antibacterial properties against E.coli. Further exploration of these plant substances will possibly unveil its potential use for medication of ailments caused by the test organism.