DETERMINATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF BOSWELLIA DALZIELII (ARARRABI) AGAINST E. COLI ISOLATED FROM CHILDREN WITH DIARRHEA IN WUDIL GENEREL HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under fiveyears in developing countries, including Nigeria. Escherichia coli (E. coli), particularlydiarrhoeagenic strains, is one of the major etiological agents of pediatric diarrhea. Increasingantimicrobial resistance among E. coli isolates has created an urgent need for alternativetherapies, particularly from medicinal plants traditionally used in Africa. Boswellia dalzielii (Ararrabi), widely employed in ethnomedicine for gastrointestinal ailments, is believedtopossess antimicrobial activity. This study investigated the antibacterial properties of B. dalzielii crude extracts against E. coli isolates from children with diarrhea in Wudil, Kano State. Stool samples were collectedandcultured on selective media (MacConkey and EMB agar). Isolates were identifiedusingbiochemical tests and confirmed with standard identification kits. Fresh bark of B. dalzielii wascollected, authenticated, dried, and extracted using ethanol. The crude extract was subjectedtophytochemical screening and antibacterial testing using agar well diffusion, minimuminhibitoryconcentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Results showed that E. coli isolates (n = XX) were successfully recovered fromdiarrheal samples. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, and resins. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones of 8.5 ± 0.6 mmat 50 mg/mL, 13.2±1.1 mm at 100 mg/mL, and 18.4 ± 1.3 mm at 250 mg/mL, compared to ciprofloxacin (27.6±0.7mm). MIC values ranged between 12.5–25 mg/mL, while MBC values were between25–50mg/mL. x The findings demonstrate that B. dalzielii possesses measurable antibacterial activityagainst diarrheagenic E. coli, though less potent than ciprofloxacin. Its bioactivity is likely attributabletosecondary metabolites such as boswellic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. Thissupports the traditional use of B. dalzielii in the management of gastrointestinal infections. Further research on bioassay-guided isolation, synergistic effects with antibiotics, andinvivotesting is recommended to validate its therapeutic potential