ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF HONEY, LIME (CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA), LEMON(CITRUS LIMON) AND CABBAGE (BRASSICA OLECACEA) ON SOME PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1     BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Earlier civilization believed that certain herbs have remedial supremacy naturally in them to heal some specific aliment (Gorg et al., 2010). Nation like India, one of the developing countries fulfils their requirement of medicinal sources mainly from plants to cure infectious diseases (Zumla and Lutat, 1989).

The continuous escalation of resistant bacteria against a wide range of antibiotics and indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases, have caused many microorganisms to develop resistance to several antibiotics. This has necessitates the discovery of unconventional source of antibiotics (Kacanioeaet al., 2011).

Therefore, there is critical need to move quickly and develop alternative antimicrobial drugs from natural products of plant (herbs).

The research work is to screen local medicinal plants (herb) which represent a rich source of antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial agent found in bacteria extract has been found to have antimicrobial effect that can inhibit the growth of certain enteric organisms (Prescott et al., 1999).

Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microbes to resist the effect of drugs; that is the germs are not killed, their growth is not stopped. Bacteria have the genetic ability to acquire resistance to drugs which are utilized as therapeutical agent(Khushwahaet al., 2012). Therefore aggressive actionis needed to keep new resistance from developing and to prevent the resistance that already exist from spreading. Besides plants, fruits also have been studied by researchers for the presence of bioactive compounds closely related herbs, commonly referred as phytochemicals such as tannins, carotenoids, polyphenols, anthocyanin and flavanones (Khushwaha et al., 2012).

So preparation of honey, lime, lemon and cabbage has been used as an essential ingredient in the preparation of most herbal concoction; their effect on human, investigation of their antimicrobial activity and the effect it have on enteric pathogenic organisms  which is essential for human health (Muluet al, 2004).

1.2     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of some selected medicinal plants, herbs will provide a better knowledge of specific conditions and concentrations where these plants could be recommended and applied for therapeutical means.

It has become important to investigate the antimicrobial activity of these selected plants considering their wide availability in nature and use by human to enhance their use not only as food but also as a means of therapy processes (Anyanwu, 2011).

1.3     AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research workwas to investigate the antimicrobial activity of honey, lime, lemon, and cabbageon some pathogens.

The objectives of the study were:

  1. To determine the antimicrobial effect of extractant concentration of the herbs on pathogenic organisms.
  2. To determine which plant extract has high antimicrobial effect on which particular organism.

iii.      To determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the herbs.

  1. To determine the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research will provide the following:

  1. a) It will provide wide knowledge of the economic importance and antimicrobial properties of the selected specimen
  2. b) The result will on the basis of antimicrobial effects of the extracted herbs, which will improve the economic value of the analysed herbs.
  3. c) It will provide a means for their inclusion in the therapeutic industry used in inhibiting the growth of the specified organisms in humans.

1.5     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study is limited to the evaluation of the antibacterial effects of honey, lime, lemon and cabbage against pathogens (Salmonella, Shigellaand Pseudomonasspp) and to ascertain if the plants extracts can be used to treat disease caused by these enteropathogens.

1.6     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Bacteria: this is a microscopic organism, especially a bacteria,virus or fungi.

Enteropathogen: this is any organism that causes disease of the intestinal tract.

Antibacterial/antimicrobial substances: Any substance or agent that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria or microbes.

Zone of inhibition:This is the clear area surrounding a sample of an antimicrobial agent that is been deposited on an agar-based culture.

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