Phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of coconut water (Cocos nucifera) on microbial pathogens

Abstract

The phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of coconut water on microbial pathogens were investigated for its medicinal potential. In this study, coconut water and selected test microbial pathogens; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella spp were used. The phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of the coconut water against the selected test microbial pathogens were determined using standard method and paper disc diffusion method respectively. The study revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenols, anthocyanins, terpenoids, and alkaloids as phytochemicals detected. Quantitative phytochemical constituents revealed 0.822±0.11mg of total phenols compound and total flavonoids compound of 25.44±3.68 of the coconut water. With the positve control antibiotic (ciprofloxacin), Klebsiella spp exhibited the highest zone of inhibition of 23mm while the least zone of inhibition was observed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at 20mm respectively. The antimicrobial efficacy of the coconut water was significantly lower when compared with the positive control(ciprofloxacin) at 30mg/ml against the test bacteria but higher at an increased concentration of 60mg/ml with Staphylococcus aureus having the highest zone of inhibiton of 28mm while Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the least zone of inhibition at 21mm. Moreover, the inhibitory activity exhibited by coconut water against these bacterial pathogens is an indication of the presence of bioactive compounds that can be harnessed and used for further medical research.