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.