Single and Combined Effects of Antibacterial Activities of Fruit and Stem Bark Extracts of Tetrapleura Tetraptera on Streptococcus Mutans and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

G M Gberikon

doi:10.18483/ijsci.693

Abstract

Single and combined effect of the antibacterial activities of fruit and stembark extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera was carried out against Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Samples of T.tetraptera fruits were purchased in Wukari market, Taraba State. Stem bark samples were collected from Vandeikya, Benue State of Nigeria. Phytochemical analyses were carried out on both samples in the laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, phlobatannins, anthraquinones, glycosides and reducing sugars in varying concentrations in fruit and stem bark samples. Antibacterial activity of extracts of fruit and stembark of Tetrapleura tetraptera singly and combined was studied against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans. Results showed that extract of fruit of test plant gave an inhibition zone of 21.00mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 08.33mm against S. mutans . Extract of stem bark gave 12.00mm against S. mutans and no antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Combined extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit and stembark showed antibacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa giving an inhibition zone of 16.67mm and S. mutans an inhibition zone of 10.33mm. There was significant difference (pË‚ 0.025) between the antibacterial effects of extracts of fruit and stem bark of Tetrapleura tetraptera singly and combined as shown in this study. Minimum inhibitory concentration of test organisms subjected to single and combined extracts of fruit and stem bark was 100mg/ml except for P.aeruginosa which showed that concentrations (mg/ml) of stem bark extract used singly was not enough to inhibit its growth, except the combined extract which inhibited its growth at 100mg/ml.

Highlights

The use of plants as medicines predates written human history
Fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera extracted with ethanol exhibited antibacterial activity against P.aeruginosa and S. mutans showing maximum zone of inhibition of 21.00mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 08.33 against S.mutans
Combined effect of fruit and stem bark extract was able to exert antibacterial activity against P.aeruginosa as opposed to stembark extract. This is because the bioactive substance that was lacking in the stembark to exert antibacterial activity against P.aeruginosa was found in the fruit after combining fruit and stembark extracts

Summary

Introduction

The use of plants as medicines predates written human history. Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies (Lichterman, 2004). The use of plants with medicinal values in treating human diseases is almost universal. Medicines from plant sources is more affordable than expensive modern drugs (Lai and Roy, 2004). Global estimates indicate that 80% of about 4 billion population cannot afford drugs from Western pharmaceutical industry and have to rely on medicinal plants which are mainly derived from plant materials (Joy et al, 1998). In many of the developing countries, the use of plant drugs is increasing because modern life saving drugs are beyond the reach of three quarters of the third world’s population (Joy et al, 1998)

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion