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ABSTRACT
Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) is an oblong, one seeded berry, with a fleshy and sweet pericarp. The phytochemical constituents were estimated using standard techniques as outlined by association of analytical chemist (AOAC). The antibacterial activity of the date palm fruits extract was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas earuginosa, and Streptococcus pneumonia using the agar well diffusion technique. The fruit extract showedantibacterial activity against test organisms S. aureus, and P.aeruginosa. At a concentration of 40 mg/ml, the zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus was 23 mm, and that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa the zone of inhibition was 17mm. No zone of inhibition recorded against S. pneumoniae. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, phenols, Saponins, flavonoids and terpenoids. Quantitative analysis of the phytochemicals showed that the date palm fruit contain flavonoids (3.25g/100g), alkaloids (1.53g/100g), tannins (0.70g100g), saponins (1.42mg/100g), phenolics 321.5mg (GAE/100g) and terpenoids (1.97mg/100g). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of P.dactylifera extract were carried out using the tube dilution method. Five well isolated colonies of the same morphology were used for the assay and the minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract against pseudomonas earuginosa and staphylococcus aureus were 20mg/ml and 40 mg/ml respectively. Phoenix dactylifera is a potential source of antimicrobial agents with different molecules that can affect bacteria. These findings support some of the traditional applications of the fruit of P. dactylifera against some microbial ailments.
