Antimicrobial Activities of Aframomum Melegueta (Alligator Pepper)

Abstract

Antibacterial activity of Aframomum melegueta was tested on salmonella spp, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp and klebsiella spp. Ethanol and distilled water were used as solvents for the extraction of the plant. The ethanolic extract was found to be most effective at high concentration of 50mg/ml on all the isolates. The zones of inhibition of klebsiella spp, salmonella spp, E. coli and Shigella spp are 30mm,15mm,20mm,and 15mm respectively with ethanolic extract. The aqueous extract was found to be less effective when compared with ethanolic extract.The phytochemcial analysis carried out on Aframomum melegueta revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponin, steroids, cardiacglycoside, flavonoid, terpenoids and phenol. The presence of these phytochemcials support the use of this plant as antimicrobial agent. Aframomum melegueta can therefore be used as antimicrobial agent against the groups of Enterobacteriaceae tested.

Antimicrobial Activities of Some Medicinal Plants Against Multiresistants Microorganisms Causing Urogenital Tract Infections in Cameroon

“…The plant was found to contain steroids, saponins and tannins which could explain the activities observed [18,21]. Antimicrobial activity of the bark extract of this plant, using the microdilution method, presented better results than well diffusion method.…”

“…It was moderately active on C. krusei, P. stuartii, P. vulgaris and E. coli, (MIC ≤8mg/ml); and less active on P. aeruginosa, and E. coli JM109 The phytochemical screening of this plant showed that it contains tannins, alkaloids and saponins, hence the antimicrobial properties demonstrated by this plant could be attributed to some of these biological active components [17][18]. This plant was reported to have very important antioxidant and reducing power [23] but the antimicrobial properties of the plants are reported here for the first time.…”

“…Some of characteristics of saponins include formation of foam in aqueous solutions, hemolytic activity, cholesterol binding properties and bitterness [18]. The antimicrobial mechanism of action of the alkaloids may be through DNA intercalation and inhibition of DNA synthesis through topoisomerase inhibition [18]. Some studies have been done on the isolation and characterization of biological active components of this specie [19] but very few studies have reported the antimicrobial activities of this plant.…”

“…These secondary metabolites exert their antimicrobial activity through different mechanisms; tannins for example act by iron deprivation, hydrogen bounding or non-specific interactions with vital proteins such as enzymes [17]. Some of characteristics of saponins include formation of foam in aqueous solutions, hemolytic activity, cholesterol binding properties and bitterness [18]. The antimicrobial mechanism of action of the alkaloids may be through DNA intercalation and inhibition of DNA synthesis through topoisomerase inhibition [18].…”

“…abyssinicus was very active on S. saprophiticus and C. krusei, MIC = 0.25mg/ml, and the inhibition was bactericidal on S. aureus (MBC/MIC=1) and bacteriostatic on C. krusei (MMC/MIB = 8) [10]. The extract was moderately active (MIC≤8mg/ml) on P. stuartii, P. vulgaris and E. coli JM109, while less active on E. coli, P. aeruginosa, this activities could be attributed to tannins and alkaloids contained by the plant [17][18]. Some studies have been reported on biological properties of this plant.…”