O. C. UDINYIWE

Plants have long been used as medicine to cure a wide range of illnesses and humans have depended on nature to meet their basic needs. This study was aimed at determining the mineral content, proximate content, phytochemical composition and the antibacterial properties of the aqueous and ethanolic extract of citrus sinensis on some bacterial. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts were evaluated for mineral elemental analysis, proximate content and phytochemical properties using the method of A.O.A.C. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using an agar well dilution techniques against five bacterial isolates using the Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract were determined using the MIC and MBC. The mineral element of Citrus sinensis of aqueous and ethanolic extract for Sodium (Na) was (250.333 ± 0.333 mg/kg) and (260.300 ± 0.3111 mg/kg), Potassium (K) (3415.667 ± 2.500 mg/kg) and (2215.060 ± 2.400) mg/kg, Calcium (Ca) (1.412.077± 1.400 mg/kg) and (1,521.047 ± 1.453 mg/kg), Phosphorus (P) (0.2100 ± 0.005 mg/kg) and (0.1900± 0.005 mg/kg), Iron (Fe) (1.1400 ± 0.004 mg/kg) and (1.2400 ± 0.009 mg/kg), Nitrogen (N) (0.1400 ± 0.001 mg/kg) and (1.2000 ± 0.009 mg/kg), Magnesium (Mg) (129.100± 0.700 mg/kg) and (131.000± 0.577 mg/kg). The result for proximate content of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Citrus sinensis showed varying composition of moisture content, ash content, crude fibre, crude fat, protein and carbohydrate. The qualitative phytochemical result revealed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, eugenols, flavonoids, tannins, and reducing sugars. The quantitative phytochemical result revealed the presence of alkaloid to be (5.4063 ± 0.2985) for aqueous and (6.3427±0.329) for ethanolic, total saponins, (5.9620 ± 3.6112) for aqueous and (7.0867±0.002) for ethanolic, total phenolic, (0.2077 ± 0.0012) for aqueous and (0.2140±0.001) for ethanolic, total tannins (10.1533 ± 0.0023) for aqueous and (12.7747±0.161) for ethanolic and for total flavonoids, (6.9993 ± 0.0127) for aqueous and (6.5827±0.031) for ethanolic. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract against selected bacterial isolates was also evaluated using the MHA method. It was demonstrated that at a concentration of 200 mg/kg of both the aqueous and ethanolic extract, the extract of Citrussinensis expressed bactericidal potential against the bacterial isolates. The result from this research shows the potency of the extract of Citrus sinensis being able to the utilized for drug formations with antibacterial effects

Clays have been utilized for centuries across various cultures for their therapeutic and medicinal properties, ranging from wound healing to antibacterial applications, owing to their adsorptive and chemical properties that inhibit pathogens and support tissue regeneration. This study was aimed at investigating the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of Okpepe clay, Uzala black clay and the combined effect of both clays on clinical isolates against some clinical isolates. Clay samples were processed into suspensions, physicochemical analysis was carried out to determine the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), heavy metal content and organic carbon. Uzala black clay had a higher pH (7.85), CEC (25.90 cmol/kg), and organic matter (2.80 %), while OKC was more acidic (pH 6.12) with higher EC and TDS. Antibacterial activity was tested against some clinical isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus spp. using agar well diffusion at concentrations of 100 %, 75 %, 50 % and 25 %. Uzala black clay demonstrated superior antibacterial activity with larger zones of inhibition and lower MIC values (6.25 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus) compared to Okpekpe clay. Uzala black clay was bactericidal (MBC/MIC ≤ 2) against all isolates, while Okpekpe clay was often bacteriostatic. The clay combination (1:1) showed a remarkable synergistic effect, particularly at 75 % concentration, producing the largest zones of inhibition (42 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Uzala Black Clay is a potent, broad-spectrum bactericidal agent. The combination with Okpekpe Clay results in a significant synergistic enhancement of antibacterial efficacy. Its efficacy against clinical isolates, including those resistant to common antibiotics, highlights its potential as a source for developing new antimicrobial strategies against drug-resistant bacteria and its novel antimicrobial strategies.