Antimicrobial qualities, phytochemistry and micronutritional content of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss seed oil

Abstract

Khaya senegalensis seed oil is a non-drying oil, which consist of long chain fatty acids. The antimicrobial attributes of the seed oil was investigated using disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The test microbial cultures used in the study were; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum, Mucor mucedo and Aspergillus niger. Routine procedures were utilized in the determination of the phytochemical and mineral constituents of the seed oil. B. subtilis was the most sensitive of the isolates exposed to varying concentrations of the undiluted seed oil whilst E. coli was the most resistant amongst the bacterial isolates. The seed oil did not exhibit any antifungal activity. Varying amounts of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phytates and oxalates were detected in K. senegalensis seed oil whilst glycosides were absent. Amongst the micro-nutrients present in seed oil, manganese had the least value (0.05 mg/ml) while potassium had the highest concentration (3.33 mg/ml). There is a need to conduct further studies aimed at determining the percentage yield of antimicrobial compounds and the antibacterial activity of the seed oil on multiple drug resistant bacteria.