ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF TAMARIND PULP AGAINST SOME INTESTINAL BACTERIA

ABSTRACT Tamarindus indica L. (Tamarind), an underutilised fruit tree which grows wild in the savannah region of Nigeria. T. indica pulp was obtained from 19 towns of the 20 savannah states of Nigeria. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. volatile oil, and terponoid. The Crude aqueous and methanol extracts of Tamaridus indica were investigated for antibacterial activity. The susceptibility of three clinical bacterial isolates against these two crude extracts was determined using the agar well diffusion method. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared ranging from 62.5mg/ml to 500mg/ml.Escherichia coli was found More sensitive for different concentration of the extracts with zone of inhibition ranging from 24mm to 26mm while salmonella with zone of diameter ranging from 26mm to 21mm and shigella which was the least sensitive with zone of inhibition 20mm to 21mm. MIC value were that show no visible grow 250mg/ml to 500mg/ml , salmonella 500mg/ml to250 mg/ml, shigella 500mg/ml to 250 mg/ml the Aqueous and methanolic extract of tamarinal pulp is bactericidal effect on e.coli. and salmonella while shigella is bacteriostatic effect the antibacterial activity of the extracts against the test bacteria suggest that there is a scientific basis for their utilization in medicine for the treatment of some bacterial infections as claimed by traditional medical practitioners.