Antibacterial Effect of Gongronema Latifolium Leaf Extracts On Selected Gram Positive and Negative Clinical Bacterial Isolates (Published)
This work was aimed at assaying the in-vitro effect of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Six (6) milimetre sterile discs were impregnated with the aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different concentrations ranging from 6.25mg/mL to 100mg/mL. The test organisms were spread evenly on Mueller Hinton agar plate and the discs were aseptically placed on them. The sensitivity plates were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. All the test organisms showed sensitivity to both aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium. The zones of inhibition were concentration dependent, ranging from 2.0mm to 10.8mm for aqueous extract and 2.0mm to 8.3mm for the ethanolic extract. Comparison of the zones of inhibition produced by the two extracts showed that there is no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae had Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.25mg/mL, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa had MIC of 25mg/mL for the aqueous extract. The MIC was 3.125mg/mL, 6.25mg/mL, 6.25mg/mL and 25mg/mL for S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, respectively for the ethanolic extract. Gongronema latifolium extracts were also bactericidal in action. S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa all had Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 6.25mg/mL, while K. pneumoniae had MBC of 25mg/mL for the aqueous extract, while for the ethanolic extract, S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa had MBC of 12.5mg/mL, 12.5mg/mL, 6.25mg/mL and 3.125mg/mL respectively. The data obtained from the study indicated that both the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium possess antibacterial properties. Therefore, the pharmaceutical industries should consider its usage for the production of novel antibiotics.
Keywords: : Antibiotic, Plants, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Resistance, medicinal
PLANT BIODIVERSITY OF NIGERIA AND OUR RELIGIONS AND CULTURES IN A CHANGING WORLD (Published)
The plants constitute a major component of the planet earth, which all living things need to sustain their life. The early man being limited in all forms of endowments of humankind, made very little use of these plants. He therefore maintained a stable equilibrium with them. The modern man (Homo sapiens), with his endowments, has asserted himself over other living and non- living things and is making use of the plants in diverse ways. These diverse ways, are in addition to a number of other benefits other living things including human beings, derive from the plants. This paper dwells on the services to which humankind has put the plants in the diverse religions and culture of people in Nigeria. The paper besides reviewing the diverse roles of plants in diverse religions and cultures, also discusses the changes that are now being experienced in the interactions of humankind with the plants. Nigeria is part of the African region, where biodiversity is claimed to be concentrated. It therefore behoves the people of Nigeria, to conserve the plants, so that their sustainability, can be assured.
Keywords: Cultures, Humankind., Plants, Religions, West Africa, Yoruba People.
PLANT BIODIVERSITY OF NIGERIA AND OUR RELIGIONS AND CULTURES IN A CHANGING WORLD (Review Completed - Accepted)
The plants constitute a major component of the planet earth, which all living things need to sustain their life. The early man being limited in all forms of endowments of humankind, made very little use of these plants. He therefore maintained a stable equilibrium with them. The modern man (Homo sapiens), with his endowments, has asserted himself over other living and non living things and is making use of the plants in diverse ways. These diverse ways, are in addition to a number of other benefits other living things including human beings, derive from the plants. This paper dwells on the services to which humankind has put the plants in the diverse religions and culture of people in Nigeria. The paper besides reviewing the diverse roles of plants in diverse religions and cultures, also discusses the changes that are now being experienced in the interactions of humankind with the plants. Nigeria is part of the African region, where biodiversity is claimed to be concentrated. It therefore behoves the people of Nigeria, to conserve the plants, so that their sustainability, can be assured.
Keywords: Cultures, Humankind., Plants, Religions, West Africa, Yoruba People.