THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF BITTER LEAF (VERNONIA AMYGDALINA) AND SCENT LEAF (OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM) ON SALMONELLA TYPHI AND CANDIDA ALBICANS.
Abstract
The study Antimicrobial Effects of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Scent Leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) on Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial properties of two commonly used medicinal plants, Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) and Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf), specifically their effects on Salmonella typhi (a bacterial pathogen) and Candida albicans (a fungal pathogen).
The objectives of the study were to identify the phytochemical constituents of Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum, to assess the antibacterial activity of both plant extracts against Salmonella typhi, to evaluate the antifungal activity of these plants against Candida albicans and to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of these extracts.
The antimicrobial activities were evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) were determined using broth dilution techniques. Phytochemical analysis was performed to identify bioactive compounds.
Both plant extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, with Ocimum gratissimum showing stronger effects against both pathogens than Vernonia amygdalina. The MIC values for Ocimum gratissimum were lower, indicating higher potency. The MBC/MFC values also supported this, with Ocimum gratissimum displaying greater bactericidal and fungicidal effects. Further studies should isolate specific bioactive compounds, and clinical trials are recommended.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, Phytochemical, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, Natural Antimicrobial Agents.
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