Antimicrobial Properties of Kigelia Africana (Sousage Tree) Leaf Extracts

Abstract

The use of Kigelia Africana also known as “Sausage tree” as a source of medicine among the Traditional African Society has tremendously been exploited in the past for their medicinal value playing a critical role in traditional human health care systems, especially in developing countries where there is limited access to allopathic drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Kigelia Africana against two bacterial isolates (E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and one fungal isolate (Candida albicans). Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of Kigelia Africana extract which was extracted using the water extraction method. The results were obtained by measuring the clear zones that had formed around the bacterial and fungal growth of the isolates at different concentrations of Kigelia Africana extract. The extract concentration showed no antimicrobial activity on E. coli both at low and high concentrations. the average zone of inhibition formed on Staphylococcus aureus showed a decrease in antimicrobial activity with descending plant extract concentration as compared to Candida albicans. The study provides useful information and insights into antimicrobial activities on plant extract that can be used in drug development