ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF GARCINIA KOLA AND SOME SYNTHETIC ANTIBIOTICS AGAINST SELECTED BACTERIA SPECIES

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to test for the antimicrobial effect of Garcinia kola (Bitter kola) on standard microorganisms (Staphyloccocus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) obtained from the Microbiology laboratory of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Idu, Abuja, Nigeria. The Garcinia kola seed were bought from Railway market, Makurdi, Benue State and taken to the Benue State University Chemistry Laboratory for extraction and phytochemical analysis. The Garcinia kola seed were dehusked and cut into piece, dried at room temperature and pounded with mortal and pestle into powdered form and 100g was extracted using 500ml 70% ethanol for 72hrs to get the ethanol extract. 100g of the sample was extracted using 500ml distilled water for the aqueous extract for 24hr and filtered with Muslin filter cloth and the extracts were evapourated using water bath. The Phytochemical analysis confirms the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tanins, Saponins and Phenols for both extracts. Antimicrobial sensitivity test for the extracts of Garcinia kola were only active against the test organisms at 100mg/ml with inhibition zones ranging from 10mm-25mm as against conventional antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Tetracycline) wiht inhibition zones ranging from 16mm-47mm at 100mg/ml. Hence, Garcinia kola may not be agood substitute for conventional antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, there is a need for further research to test its efficacy against viral diseases.