ANTIMICROBIAL AND MICROBIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PEEL

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial and microbiological properties of pineapple (Ananas comosus) fruit pulp and bark peels. Matured, ripe and fresh pineapple fruits were purchased from New Benin (A), Oba (B) and Ikpoba Hill (C) market in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The plant sample was collected fresh and extracted using soxhlet extractor. The extract was concentrated using rotary evaporator. The crude extract was then screened for antimicrobial and microbiological properties using agar well diffusion method. The results revealed that the microbial count for sample A ranged from 4.60 x 104 - 9.10 x 104 , sample B (1.19 x 104 - 2.35 x 104 ), while sample C ranged from 1.95 x 104 - 3.80 X 104 . The bacteria isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. The zone of inhibition of the bark peels extract against Escherichia coli was 13mm, Staphylococcus aureus (16mm), Streptococcus faecalis (16mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14mm). The results of the present study support the use of pineapple bark peels extract in the treatment of bacterial infections in both traditional and modern medicine health care system.