ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF BOABAB TREE (ADANSONIA DIGITATA) LEAVES AND STEM (BARK), AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC EXTRACT EXTRACT AGAINST SOME ENTERIC BACTERIA
Abstract
The increasing resistance of enteric bacteria to conventional antibiotics led to the search for alternative therapeutic agents from natural sources. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) leaves and stem (Bark) extracts against selected enteric bacteria. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds including saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, and terpenoids, with variations depending on the solvent used. Antibacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. The methanol extracts exhibited the highest inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, with MIC values as low as 12.5 mg/ml, while aqueous extracts showed comparatively lower activity with MIC as low as 25mg/ml. The results suggest that A. digitata possesses significant antibacterial properties, particularly in methanol extracts, supporting its traditional use in the treatment of infectious diseases. This study provides scientific evidence for the potential of baobab-derived compounds as alternative sources of antimicrobial agents against enteric pathogens.
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