European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF AFRAMOMUM MELEGUETA SEEDS ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND STREPTOCOCCUS SPECIES

Ajayi A. O.*, Fadeyi T. E. and Olumekun V. O.

ABSTRACT

Plants sources have been investigated for their antimicrobials in the search for novel compounds for the treatment and control of diseases. This study therefore investigated the potential of Aframomum melegueta seeds which have been long known for the ethno-botanical uses, as a source of antimicrobials. Analysis of the seeds used in this study showed that the ethanolic extract had the highest antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus at 0.6g/ml with the highest zone of inhibition at 18mm. It was also observed that the ethanolic extract had the highest antimicrobial effect on Streptococcus species with the concentration 0.6g/ml giving the highest zone of inhibition at 15.0mm. Petroleum ether extract of the seeds had lesser antimicrobial effect while the water extract had the least antimicrobial effect on Streptococcus species. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of tannin, phenol, alkaloid, flavonoids, oxalate, saponin and phytate; some of which are recognised as bioactive components while the mineral components (per 100g) were sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (C), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and phosphorus (P). This study highlights the antimicrobial property of Aframomum melegueta seeds and demonstrates the potential for the control of disease agents such as Staphylococus aureus and Streptococcus spp. It is expected that the information obtained will be helpful in medicinal formulations.

Keywords: Aframomum melegueta; Seeds; Antimicrobial properties; Staphylococus aureus; Streptococcus species.