Antibacterial and phytochemical effects of plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) and tropical almond (Terminalia catappa L.) against clinical isolates

Abstract

Musa paradisiaca and Terminalia catappa leaves and stembark were studied for antibacterial and phytochemical activities. The water, ethanol and methanol crude extracts of T. catappa leaves and stembarks were obtained using soxhlet extraction while the root sap of M. paradisiaca was obtained manually under asceptic condition. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by in vitro disc diffusion method and phytochemical compounds were detected using standard methods. T. catappa ethanolic extract of leave demonstrated the highest activity against Escherichia coli. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, E. coli and Proteus miarbilis were sensitive to methanol and water extracts of T. catappa. No bacterium was sensitive to Musa paradisiaca root sap. T. catappa leave and stem extracts contained various phytochemical compounds except anthraquinones which was lacking in the stem. T. catappa leaves and stem barks could be used as antibacterial agents, in the management of infectious diseases associated with these organisms.