Qualitative phytochemicals screening and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of coconut oil extract on some selected bacteria and fungi

Bassey Edet Effiong 1, Gwana Mohammed Adamu 2, *, Mu’azu Abdullah Kofar Na’isai 3 and Modu Gana Umara 4

1 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
2 Laboratoty Unit, Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Mohamet    Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
3 Department of Planning, Research and Development, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Ibadan, Nigeria.
4 Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 01(03), 001–013.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2019.1.3.0006
 
Publication history: 
Received on 10 January 2019; revised on 08 April 2019; accepted on 12 April 2019
 
Abstract: 
Focuses on its high values, coconut product; nutritional and health benefits have currently been attributed to its intake, antioxidant and anticancer properties. This research study is aimed at evaluating the phytochemical content of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil and determines the susceptibility pattern against some selected microbes. The findings revealed that it contained phytochemicals; alkaloid, glycosides, resins, saponins, tannins and terpenoid. Subjected to susceptibility testing on some bacterial and fungal; agar diffusion method was being applied and inhibition zones which indicated its antimicrobial properties. Assay of antibacterial activity of standard bacteria organisms showed that Staphyloccus aureus had the highest susceptibility to coconut oil while Pseudomonas aeroginosa had the least, Candida albicans had a higher susceptibility to coconut oil more than Aspergillus fumigatus in antifungal testing. This was concluded from their average zones of inhibition; 14.55mm (32%) for Staphylococcus aureus, 12.1 mm (27%) for Streptococcus pneumonia, 10.95 mm (24%) for Escherichia coli and 7.7 mm (17%) for Pseudomonas aeroginosa. And for the fungal are 18.5mm (55%) for Candida albicans and 15.1mm (45%) for Aspergillus fumigatus. The utilization of coconut oil should be promoted as a functional food in Nigeria and the use of coconut seed flesh in our diets should be encouraged for health supporting functions and considered to be responsible for the many benefits attributed to its consumption.
Keywords: 
Antimicrobial; Coconut oil; Inhibition; Phytochemical; Susceptibility; Test organisms
 
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