COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF PALM KERNEL OIL AND HONEY ON SELECTED HUMAN PATHOGENS

Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of palm kernel oil and honey on selected human pathogens was studied using standard microbiological procedures. Wound sample was collected from patient in female ward of Demark hospital, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Skin sample. Swab samples from skin were obtained from volunteer students in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic. Honey sample was obtained from local commercial producers. Swab samples were streaked onto molten mannitol salt medium and eosin methylene blue medium plates and were incubated at 370C for 24 hours. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were identified. The phytochemicals screening of honey and palm kernel oil revealed that flavonoids was highly present (+++), alkaloid and saponins and were moderately present (++) while tannins and cardiac glycoside were trace (+) in the honey. In the palm kernel oil saponins and flavonoids were moderately present (++) but tannins and cardiac glycoside were trace (+) while alkaloid was not detected. The antimicrobial activity of honey and palm kernel oil against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. showed honey to have a strong inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus sp. with a zones of inhibition 14mm at the concentration of 100%. The palm kernel oil showed no inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus sp. The honey inhibited Escherichia coli with a zones of inhibition 9mm at the concentrations of 100% while the palm kernel oil showed no inhibitory effects. The efficacy of honey against the isolates tested in this study justify the scientific basis for their use in traditional medicine in prevention and treatment of bacterial infections.