THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM (EFINRIN LEAVES) EXTRACT AGAINST MICRO-ORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SPOILAGE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants have been used for the purpose of food, shelter and medicine for
ages. They contain therapeutic properties that are useful for the promotion of health and
well-being of individuals. Medicinal or herbal plants are numerous in existence but this
study focused on locally available medicinal plants namely Ocimum gratissimum
(Efinrin). Proximate, phytochemical and microbial analysis of the plant were carried out
and it revealed some chemical constituents which contributed to its medicinal usage.
The proximate analysis revealed that the plants contain moisture content which is 52.00%
and the ash content with the values of 19.76%. The plant material also contains fibre,
crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates. The phytochemical constituents contain
tannins, saponins, flavonoids and phenols. Minerals like K, Na, Mn, Ni, Cd are in
quantities within acceptable ranges and limits as recommended by WHO. The general
analysis showed that this plant contains sufficient doses of materials sufficient to act as
antimicrobials that can favorably prevent spoilage by disease and support general growth
and well-being of human beings.
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