ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTY OF ETHANOL, METHANOL AND COMBINED SEED EXTRACTS OF CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS.

ABSTRACT Numerous bacteria have shown resistance to drugs so the search of new antimicrobials of plant source which have little or no side effects. The aim of the research is to evaluate Cassia occidentalis seeds for antibacterial properties. Proteus vulgaris, Klebseilla pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitis bacteria were selected based on some ethno-botanical uses of Cassia occidentalis. Phytochemical investigations were done. Antibacterial sensitivity test and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) were carried out by using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemicals investigation on crude ethanol and methanol seed extracts of C. occidentalis revealed glycosides, steroids, saponins and flavonoids. Each extract concentrations (10ppm-50ppm) used demonstrated growth inhibition of Proteus vulgaris, Klebseilla pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitis. Glycosides, steroids, saponins and flavonoids from both the crude seed extracts could be potential antibacterials against P. vulgaris, K. pneumoniae and N. meningitis if thoroughly investigated. The N. meningitidis was the most susceptible isolate to the ethanol, methanol and the combined extracts of C. occidentalis (MIC= 0.63 ppm). There statistically significant differences between extracts and their effects on used bacteria. (P value, 0.0001, α = 0.05). The methanol extract was more active than the ethanol on the P. vulgaris and K. pneumoniae isolates with MICs of 2.5 and 2.5, 5.0 and 5.0 ppm respectively. The combination of both extracts inhibited S. aureus and S. typhi growth compared to the individual extract that did not. This plant can be a source of antibacterial against bacteria used and justifies the claim that the plant can be used to manage meningitis.