ANTIBACTERIAL POTENCY OF CRUDE CITRUS JUICE ON BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM ZOBO DRINKS SOLD IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, NIGERIA.
*Ezeadila Joachim O., Umenonihu Chiamaka M., Kyrian-Ogbonna Evelyn A. and Udemezue Onyekachukwu I.
ABSTRACT
Zobo drink is an indigenous non-alcoholic drink made from hot water Roselle calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The greatest limitation for large-scale production of zobo drinks is the rapid deterioration of the drink. This study thus, focuses on the antibacterial activity of crude juices of some Citrus fruits on bacteria isolated from Zobo drink sold within Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state. A total of 10 samples were randomly collected and processed by culturing them on suitable media. Microorganisms isolated include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter species, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella species. The antibacterial activities of the crude juices were determined using the disc diffusion method. Standard antibiotic discs were also used on the test organisms. The results obtained confirmed antibacterial activity of the crude juices of some of the Citrus fruits. The highest zone of inhibition (14mm) was observed with the crude juices of Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus limonum at 100% concentration on Proteus mirabilis while Citrus paradisi produced the lowest inhibition zone diameter (8mm) against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the isolates were resistant to the crude juices of Citrus sinensis while Salmonella species was resistant to the juices of all the Citrus fruits. This study revealed that crude Citrus juices (especially those of Citrus limonum and Citrus aurantifolia) have antibiotic potentials and their possible use to treat some infections caused by the isolated bacteria or as natural preservative to prolong the shelf- life of zobo drinks is recommended.
Keywords: Citrus fruits, antibacterial potency, zobo drinks, pathogenic bacteria.
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