Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Adansonia digitata L. Seed oil gotten from Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, on some strains of bacteria

Abstract

The use of essential oils as antibacterial agents have become popular over the years, this is in a bid to search for alternative ways of dealing with strains of bacteria that have become resistant to conventional antibiotics. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial potentials of Adansonia digitata seed oil from Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria, on the clinical isolates of some bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The oil was extracted from the seeds using the soxhlet extraction method with n-hexane as the solvent. Well diffusion method was used to test susceptibility of the strains of bacteria to the oil, using Gentamycin and Streptomycin as standard positive controls. Experiments were carried out in duplicates. Data obtained from the experiment was analysed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT), with P < 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed that A. digitata oil was unable to create any inhibition zones in the bacteria cultures. From this research it can be concluded that A. digitata oil had no Antibacterial activity.