In-vitro Studies of Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Ficus exasperata on Selected Well Water Samples in Iworoko-Ekiti, Nigeria

Introduction: The incidence of waterborne diseases is still on the increase among rural dwellers in the developing countries. The States owned centralized water systems are usually limited mostly to some major parts of the urban areas and other larger communities.

Aim: The present study investigated the antibacterial property of the crude ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperata on bacterial isolates from well water samples in Iworoko-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Place of Study: Four selected wells used as drinking water sources in Iworoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria were used for the study which was conducted between June and September, 2015.

Methodology: Bacteriological analysis of the water well water samples was determined using plate count method. Ethanolic extraction (98% ethanol) of the plant bioactive components was carried out. The crude extract was tested against the bacterial pathogens isolated from the well water samples. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was determined using standard methods.

Results: The in vitro antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperata recorded highest zone of inhibition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.68±0.58 mm) at 125 mg/ml concentration while lowest value was noted in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition of 1.00±0.00 mm each. Moreover, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae required minimum concentration of 50 mg/ml to be inhibited whereas Proteus mirabilis was inhibited at 125 mg/ml. The phytochemical components of the extract include; alkaloid (49.9.00±0.10 mg/100), tannins (0.13±0.00 mg/100), glycosides (30.93±1.41 mg/100ml), flavonoids (1.36±0.00 mg/100 ml) and phenols (0.14±0.00 mg/100 ml).

Conclusion: The results obtained in this study revealed that ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperata could serve as potential source of antimicrobial agent and this justified its uses in the treatment of various infections in folk medicine.