Abstract
Background: Contaminated water is a major source of enteric diseases. This study aimed at isolating pathogenic bacteria from portable drinking water in Egerton University. In addition, the study aimed at subjecting the isolates to sensitivity test of root extracts from Solanum incanum besides carrying out minimum inhibitory test of the root extracts.
 Material and methods: The bacterial pathogens were isolated from water using membrane filtration. The roots were obtained from Solanum incanum plants in the field and dried at room temperature under shade. The root extracts were obtained using methanol, ethanol and water. Sensitivity test of the isolates to the extracts was carried out using disk diffusion technique. Minimum inhibitory technique was carried out using broth tube dilution technique.
 Results: The bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. were isolated from the water samples. The crude extracts contained tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, resins, phenols and steroids. There was no significant difference between the zones of inhibition produced by the test bacterial pathogens when subjected to crude extracts obtained using methanol, ethanol and water (F=28.57 P=0.07). However, there was a significant difference between the MIC of methanol, ethanol and water extracts.
 Conclusion: Portable water in and around Egerton University is contaminated with potential bacteria pathogens. However, extracts from Solanum incanum can be used as a remedy to the problem. There is need for determination of the structure of active ingredients in the extracts obtained from Solanum incanum.
Highlights
Solanum incanum comprises of over 1000 species and has a cosmopolitan distribution except in boreal Alpine and aquatic habitats [1]
As a result this study was designed to isolate bacterial pathogens from portable water in Egerton University and carry out their sensitivity to extracts obtained from Solanum incanum
Collection of water and isolation of bacterial pathogens Portable water was collected from water drawing points using sterile bottles in Egerton University
Summary
Solanum incanum comprises of over 1000 species and has a cosmopolitan distribution except in boreal Alpine and aquatic habitats [1]. Solanum incanum belongs to sub genus Leptostemonum section melongena. It is considered as a single polymorphic species. Solanum incanum is used in treatment of venereal diseases where roots decoctions are drunk, roasted pulverized roots are taken in water, leaf decoctions and fruit sap are drunk and the fruit sap is applied externally [13]. In Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe different parts are used to treat snake bites, the roots are drunk or chewed and sap is swallowed. As a result this study was designed to isolate bacterial pathogens from portable water in Egerton University and carry out their sensitivity to extracts obtained from Solanum incanum. The study aimed at subjecting the isolates to sensitivity test of root extracts from Solanum incanum besides carrying out minimum inhibitory test of the root extracts
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