Antibacterial Efficacy of Carica Papaya Leaves and Stem Bark Extracts on Clinical Isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa)

Abstract

The research was conducted to determine phytochemicals composition and antibacterial efficacy of leaves and stem bark extracts of Carica papaya on clinical isolates of MRSA. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloid, reducing sugar, steroid, terpenoids, phenol, anthraquinone, protein and amino acid, tannin, saponin and flavonoids in the leaves extracts while alkaloid, saponin and flavonoids were found in the stem bark extract. Using agar well diffusion method for determination of antibacterial activity of the extracts, the results revealed that the leaves extract demonstrated antibacterial effects on 5 out of 6 isolates tested with higher activity in ethanolic extracts when compared to aqueous extracts. All the 6 isolates were resistant to both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark. Statistical analysis of the results showed that isolate number 6 is the most susceptible covering average zone of inhibition of 16.37 mm followed by isolate 4 with 12.75 mm, least zone of inhibition was recorded in isolate 5 with 6.00 mm which found resistant to the extracts. The MIC and MBC of the leaves extracts ranges from 25-200mg/ml. There is significant different on the susceptibility of the isolates against the extracts used at p<0.05. Based on the findings of this research, the ethno-botanical use of the plant is justified.