Antimicrobial activity of tea processing effluents collected from various Kenyan factories

Abstract

The escalating global challenge of antibiotic resistance demands exploration into alternative sources for antimicrobials. This study investigated the often-overlooked tea waste samples generated during tea processing from Kenyan processing factories to uncover novel resources containing potent and effective antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we collected tea waste samples from various tea processing factories in Kenya and assessed their antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms using the disk diffusion assay. To quantify the efficacy of each sample, we determined growth inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs and MBCs). The study unveiled diverse levels of antimicrobial activity in tea waste samples against specific microorganisms. Notably, the fluff sample from Gitambo factory demonstrated potent antibacterial effects against Clostridium disporicum. Various samples exhibited a moderate response to both Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli, yet they showed minimal to no activity, where applicable, towards Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. This study showed that some tea effluents, which are often discarded during processing, show antimicrobial potential, as they demonstrated efficacy against certain pathogens. By further optimizing our handling and storage practices, we could enhance the isolation of potent antimicrobial compounds from these materials; this would provide valuable alternatives in combating antibiotic resistance.