Volume 2 ; Issue 2 ; in Month : July-Dec (2019) Article No : 121
Masaiti GC, Malambo C, Hikaambo C, et al.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial properties of Ficus sycomorus bark extract against Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional laboratory-based experimental study in which Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were cultured in the laboratory. Varying concentrations of F. sycomorus aqueous and ethanolic extracts were tested for antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method. The sensitivity of the tested microorganisms to aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts was shown by zones of inhibition after incubation. Results: Antibacterial activity was seen through zones of inhibition starting from 50 mg/ml upwards, with the zones of inhibition increasing as the doses increased. The highest observed zones of inhibition were seen with F. sycomorus 500 mg/ml for both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. A difference was however noted in that a larger zone of inhibition of 6.1mm was obtained with the 500 mg/ml ethanolic extract, as compared to the 5.0 mm observed with the aqueous extract of the same concentration, when tested against S. aureus. A 7.0 mm zone of inhibition was measured when 500 mg/ml F. sycomorus ethanolic extract was tested against E. coli whilst the 500 mg/ml aqueous extract resulted in a 6.8 mm zone of inhibition. Ciprofloxacin produced better antibacterial effects against S. aureus and E. coli with zones of inhibition of 7.5 mm and 10 mm compared to F. sycomorus extracts (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The extracts of Ficus sycomorus displayed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in a dose-dependent manner. The ethanolic extract produced better antibacterial properties against both S. aureus and E. coli than the aqueous extract.

Full Text Attachment

Views : 572      Downloads : 11

RSS