Abstract

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The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Sida acuta were screened for antibacterial activities against isolates from meat. A mortar and pestle were used to macerate the meat and a serial dilution was obtained. The diluents were cultured and biochemical tests were done. For the antibacterial activities, the disc diffusion method was employed while the macro broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations. Five (5) genera of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, and Shigella spp were isolated from meat and used for this work. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the two plants’ leaves showed a broad spectrum of activities. The aqueous extract of A. cordifolia had larger zones of inhibition ranging from 3.0 mm – 17 mm and lower MIC and MBC values that ranged from 3.125 mg/mL – 6.25mg/mL, while the ethanolic extract had zones of inhibition that ranged from 4.0 mm – 15mm and MIC and MBC values that ranged from 6.25mg/mL- 12.5mg/mL. Sida acuta had higher zones of inhibition that ranged from 5mm- 18mm and lower MIC and MBC values that ranged from 1.563mg/mL- 3.125mg/mL in the ethanolic extract. The aqueous extract had lower zones of inhibition that ranged from 5mm- 15mm and MIC and MBC values ranging from 6.25mg/mL- 12.5mg/mL. The biochemical determinations of the plants leave revealed the presence of Tannin, Saponin, Terpenoids, Steroids, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenol, and Hydrogen Cyanides in varying quantities. Steroids were absent in Sida acuta. This study revealed that both extracts had antibacterial activities against the test organisms hence suggesting that they could be a good source of antibiotics for treating foodborne diseases caused by these bacteria.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Antibacterial Activity, Plant Extracts, Phytochemicals