ABSTRACT
Tigernut is a tough erect fibrous-rooted perennial plant, which belongs to the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is widely distributed in the temperate zones within South Europe as its probable origin, and has become naturalized in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Tiger nut is highly nutritious with virtually all the nutrients required for good growth and development of both old and young. Tigernut is used for some medicinal purposes such as lowering of bad cholesterol, controlling diabetes, improving sex life males and also hold antibacterial properties. This study investigated the antimicrobial activities of tiger nut photochemicals against clinical isolates. The tigernut was bought from Uselu market, Benin city. The samples were processed by washing, airdrying, grinding and stored for phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity. The phytochemical activities was done using standard methods. The clinical isolates, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia was obtained from University of Benin teaching hospital microbiology lab and was identified using standard cultural, morphological and biochemical tests. Using disc diffusion method for testing the antimicrobial activity of the photochemicals obtained from tiger nut, all constituents of the photochemical (Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Steroids, Alkaloids, Aithraquinones) had no effect the clinical isolates, hence they were resistant to the hexane extract of the tigernut at various volumes(1ml, 0.8ml, 0.4ml, 0.2ml and 0.1ml). However, Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim (Cotrimoxazole), Erythromycin, Pefloxacin, Cephalexin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, Rocephin, and Ciprofloxacin but was resistant to Zithromax, Amoxicillin and Streptomycin all of which are commercially available antibiotics. On the other hand, Klebsiella pneumonia was only susceptible to Streptomycin and resistant to all other antibiotics. Therefore, the study further confirm that tiger nut has no antimicrobial activity against these clinical isolates.
