Antibacterial Effects of Palm Wine (Elaeis guineensis) on Salmonella typhi Isolated from Different Sources

Abstract

Background: Palm wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage produce by natural fermentation of the sap of palm trees. Palm wine is normally use traditionally for the extraction of active ingredients from leaves, barks and stems of some medicinal search for new antimicrobial agents. The discovery of new antimicrobial agents from different sources such as microorganisms, animals, plants and plant products has been the major challenge of researchers. Aims: This research work is to investigate the antibacterial effects of palm wine (Elaeis guineensis) on Salmonella typhi isolated from different sources. Study Design: The samples were collected overnight from palm trees (E. guineensis). And it was assayed for antibacterial activity on S. typhi isolated from different sources using Agar well diffusion method. The effect of dilution and fermentation duration of the palm wines on isolated S. typhi was also determined. Palm wine (E. guineensis) inhibited S. typhi isolated, with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 6.33±0.67 to 39.33±0.33 mm respectively. Palm wine from both palm trees was found to be more active against S. typhi than the conventional antibiotics (Chloramphenicol, Amoxycillin, Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin) used, with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 1.00± 0.33 to 20.67±0.57. The greatest inhibitory effect was on S. typhi isolated from well water (6.67± 0.31 to 44.67± 0.67 mm), while the least effect was on S. typhi isolated from an apparently healthy individual with inhibition ranging from 7.33±0.33 to 29.67± 0.33 mm. Also, the growth inhibitory effects of both palm wines on all S. typhi isolates used increased with increase in period of fermentation with diameter zones of inhibition ranging from 15.67±0.67 to 44.33 ± 0.33 mm for palm wine from R. vinifera and 6.33±0.33to 39.33±0.33 mm for palm wine from E. guineensis. Conclusion: The discovery of new antimicrobial agents from different sources such as microorganisms, animals, plants and plant products has been the major challenge of researchers. It is conceivable therefore that palm wine subjected to natural fermentation could be used to treat infections caused by S. typhi that is typhoid fever.