ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES

Medicinal plants have long served as a vital source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential against a wide range of microbial pathogens. The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria has renewed scientific interest in exploring plant-derived compounds as alternative antimicrobial agents. Mimosa pudica (commonly known as the “Sensitive Plant” or “Touch-Me-Not”) is a medicinal herb traditionally used in folk medicine for its reported antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of hot and cold water extracts of Mimosa pudica against three clinically significant bacterial isolates: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and tannins, while terpenoids and glycosides were absent. Tannins were moderately present (++) in both extracts, suggesting their possible contribution to the plant’s antimicrobial potential. The antibacterial assay demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibitory effects against all test organisms. The cold extract exhibited higher antibacterial activity than the hot extract, with Staphylococcus aureus showing a maximum zone of inhibition of 26.00 ± 5.29 mm at 2000 mg/ml, compared to 8.00 ± 5.29 mm for the hot extract. Similarly, the cold extract showed superior inhibition against Escherichia coli (27.33 ± 6.11 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.67 ± 7.57 mm) at the highest concentration. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was most susceptible to the cold extract (80 mg/ml), whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited the least susceptibility (175 mg/ml for both extracts). The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) results indicated that both extracts were bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal at the tested concentrations (2000 mg/ml). Comparative antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that the bacterial isolates displayed varying degrees of resistance and susceptibility to standard antibiotics, underscoring the need for effective plant-based alternatives. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Mimosa pudica possesses promising antibacterial activity, particularly in its cold water extract, likely due to the presence of tannins, saponins, and flavonoids. These results support the traditional use of Mimosa pudica in herbal medicine and suggest its potential as a natural source of antimicrobial compounds for combating bacterial infections, especially those caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. x

Clay minerals are naturally occurring fine-grained materials composed primarily of hydrous aluminum silicates, formed through the prolonged weathering and hydrothermal alteration of feldspathic rocks under diverse environmental conditions. This study was aimed at investigating the synergetic effect of Ubiaja clay and Uzala black clay and their antibacterial properties against clinical isolates. The clays were collected from Edo State, Nigeria and investigated for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, organic carbon, and metal content. Antimicrobial assays were conducted using the agar disc diffusion method, while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined through serial dilution techniques. Results revealed that Uzala black clay exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than Ubiaja clay, attributed to its higher organic matter and iron content. The combined sample demonstrated synergistic enhancement, showing the lowest MIC (25 mg/mL) and highest inhibition zones (up to 4.2 mm), particularly against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physicochemical data showed that Ubiaja clay had higher mineralization, whereas Uzala black clay was richer in redox-active components, both contributing to their antibacterial potency. The clays also inhibited multidrug-resistant isolates that exhibited resistance to β-lactam antibiotics but sensitivity to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. The findings suggest that locally sourced clays possess promising antimicrobial potential and could serve as cost-effective complementary agents in managing infections, especially in regions affected by antibiotic resistance.

Coconut is one of the most nutritionally and economically valuable foods known to humankind. Its various edible products further enhance its significance, making the coconut palm a highly valued tree, especially in tropical regions where it is widely cultivated. Due to the increasing resistance of microorganisms to commonly used antibiotics, there is a growing need for alternative antimicrobial agents. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of coconut water obtained from both young and mature coconut fruits against selected gastrointestinal bacteria. Gastrointestinal bacteria are known to cause infections that primarily affect the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. For this study, coconuts were sourced from three locations in Benin: Oluku Market, NIFOR, and Iguosa Market. Coconut water contains lauric acid, a bioactive compound with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, which helps strengthen the immune system. Additionally, coconut water plays a role in improving digestion and nutrient absorption while offering a low-calorie alternative to other beverages. Given its natural antimicrobial potential, coconut water could serve as a functional food with therapeutic benefits, particularly in managing gastrointestinal infections. Further research into its mechanisms of action and potential applications in clinical settings could provide new insights into its role as a natural remedy for bacterial infections Coconut is one of the most nutritionally and economically valuable foods known to humankind. Its various edible products further enhance its significance, making the coconut palm a highly valued tree, especially in tropical regions where it is widely cultivated. Due to the increasing resistance of microorganisms to commonly used antibiotics, there is a growing need for alternative antimicrobial agents. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of coconut water obtained from both young and mature coconut fruits against selected gastrointestinal bacteria. Gastrointestinal bacteria are known to cause infections that primarily affect the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. For this study, coconuts were sourced from three locations in Benin: Oluku Market, NIFOR, and Iguosa Market. Coconut water contains lauric acid, a bioactive compound with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, which helps strengthen the immune system. Additionally, coconut water plays a role in improving digestion and nutrient absorption while offering a low-calorie alternative to other beverages. Given its natural antimicrobial potential, coconut water could serve as a functional food with therapeutic benefits, particularly in managing gastrointestinal infections. Further research into its mechanisms of action and potential applications in clinical settings could provide new insights into its role as a natural remedy for bacterial infectionsCoconut is one of the most nutritionally and economically valuable foods known to humankind. Its various edible products further enhance its significance, making the coconut palm a highly valued tree, especially in tropical regions where it is widely cultivated. Due to the increasing resistance of microorganisms to commonly used antibiotics, there is a growing need for alternative antimicrobial agents. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of coconut water obtained from both young and mature coconut fruits against selected gastrointestinal bacteria. Gastrointestinal bacteria are known to cause infections that primarily affect the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. For this study, coconuts were sourced from three locations in Benin: Oluku Market, NIFOR, and Iguosa Market. Coconut water contains lauric acid, a bioactive compound with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, which helps strengthen the immune system. Additionally, coconut water plays a role in improving digestion and nutrient absorption while offering a low-calorie alternative to other beverages. Given its natural antimicrobial potential, coconut water could serve as a functional food with therapeutic benefits, particularly in managing gastrointestinal infections. Further research into its mechanisms of action and potential applications in clinical settings could provide new insights into its role as a natural remedy for bacterial infections

Carrot (Daucus carota) is one of the most important economical root vegetable crops worldwide and the largest source of provitamin A and carotenoids in the human diet. Storage is a prerequisite for a year-round supply of Carrot, but longer duration can affect its quality. Essential oils also has diverse and relevant biological activities. This study was aimed towards isolating the bacteria associated with rotted carrot, characterizing and isolating three bacteria isolate and determining the antibacterial properties of selected essential oils against the isolates using Agar well diffusion method. Suspected bacteria pathogens were isolated from a diseased carrot tuber, the isolates were identified using biochemical and cultural characterization. Essential oils were used in the antimicrobial sensitivity treatment using agar well diffusion method against the isolated bacteria to determine the antibacterial property of the essential oils. The results showed that Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Agrobacterium tumenfacien were the isolated pathogenic bacteria from the carrot tubers. The essential oils which are (Neem oil, Tea tree oil and Bergamot oil), showed no antibacterial activity on the isolated bacteria pathogens. Further investigations can be done using essential oils against bacterial isolates but it should be extracted from the plant source to avoid destroying its potential antimicrobial properties