EVALUATION OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF MUSA PARADISIACA PEEL, MANIHOT ESCULENTA PEEL, AND ACACIA SEED AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL BACTERIAL ISOLATES
Abstract
This study investigates the antibacterial properties of plant-based extracts from banana peels, cassava peels, and acacia seeds against selected bacterial isolates obtained from industrial and domestic wastewater. The aim was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of these natural extracts using methanol and ethanol as solvents. A total of 56 bacterial test isolates were tested using the agar well diffusion method to determine zones of inhibition, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were also recorded. The same isolates were tested against antibiotic discs. Results showed that methanolic banana peel extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, followed by cassava peel and acacia seed extracts. Ethanol extracts showed lower effects. Some bacterial isolates were more sensitive than others, indicating different susceptibility. These findings support the potential use of medicinal plants as affordable and eco-friendly sources of antibacterial agents, especially in the face of rising antibiotic resistance and wastewater treatment.
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