ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM POULTRY FEED IN SELECTED AREAS OF IBADAN USING CONVENTIONAL ANTIBIOTICS AND HEXANE EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA LEAF

The contamination of poultry feed with pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to poultry health and public safety, contributing to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated the bacterial contamination of poultry feed in Ido Local Government Areas, Ibadan Nigeria, and evaluated the efficacy of conventional antibiotics versus a natural alternative—hexane extract of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf). Poultry feed samples were collected, and bacterial isolates including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus were identified. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed varying resistance patterns, with some isolates showing multidrug resistance. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds like alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and phenols in the V. amygdalina extract. The hexane extract exhibited significant, dose-dependent antibacterial activity against the isolates, with higher concentrations (e.g., 40% n-hexane) producing inhibition zones comparable to those of standard antibiotics. The findings demonstrate that V. amygdalina possesses potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. This study concludes that plant-based extracts, particularly from V. amygdalina, represent a promising sustainable alternative to conventional antibiotics for controlling bacterial contamination in poultry feed, thereby helping to mitigate AMR spread and promote safer poultry production practices. Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Poultry Feed, Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial Contamination, Hexane Extract, Phytochemicals, Antimicrobial Activity.