Antimicrobial Effects of The Leaf and Bark Extracts of Spondias Mombin Linn

Abstract

Spondias mombin is a plant that is widely used in traditional medicine. Majority of its medicinal potential is yet to be uncovered. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of the leaf and bark extracts of Spondias mombin on a human pathogenic bacterium and a fungus. The leaves and bark of Spondias mombin were obtained, washed, and extracted with sterile distilled boiled water for 24 hours. The antimicrobial sensitivity of the extracts was determined against a bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) and a fungus (Candida albicans) using the “Poison Food Plate Technique”. The results obtained revealed that both extracts reduced the colony diameter of Staphylococcus aureus and the mycelial growth of Candida albicans. The Spondias mombin bark extract showed the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans at 30 g/ml with diameters of 12.33±1.86 and 16.67±2.19 mm, respectively. The findings of this study indicate that the Spondias mombin leaf and bark extracts possess antibacterial and antifungal properties in which the potency is concentration dependent. The decrease in potency of these extracts is as a result of phytochemical evaporation on long exposure to the environment. Therefore, when these phytochemicals are fully harnessed based on environment conditioning, antimicrobial and antifungal effects of Spondias mombins will be further enhanced in treating some highly infectious clinical diseases.