Evaluation of antibacterial potential of wood ash against escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

External skin and wound infections are among the most common complications affecting animals. As the outermost layer and primary barrier, the skin is frequently exposed to various agents leading to infections and wounds. In this regard, oone major issue in the treatment of these wounds is the rise in the incidence of AMR. The growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance necessitates a comprehensive examination of the antibacterial potential of alternative remedies for treating these skin and wound infections. Wood ash, a byproduct of burning organic matter, has been cited to contain various chemical and biological properties with antibacterial potential. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of wood ash against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This study was experimental and purposively sampled Acacia Tree (Vachellia sieberiana) and Mixed-Trees ash to be used in the experiment. Two ash samples were tested for antibacterial effects using a single concentration of 0.5 g/ml (500 mg/ml) against two bacteria species. The antibacterial potential was determined by antimicrobial methods such as agar well diffusion (zones of inhibition) & MIC.Statistical analysis, ANOVA and Post-hoc test were done to determine the means and compare them among the groups of bacterial isolates. The study found that the mean zone of inhibition for standard E. coli. staph and their corresponding wild strains was 19mm, 34.33mm, 37.67mm,20.0mm when using acacia tree ash respectively. When mixed tree ash was used, ZOI was 21.33mm, 30.67mm, 31.67mm, 21.67mm. Statistically significant difference was seen when using mixed tree ash on staph standard strain [p=0.012]. The positive control Ciprofloxacin had a generally higher ZOI across all strains. Mixed tree ash showed higher MIC values compared to Acacia tree ash and ciprofloxacin across all isolates, with significant differences (p<0.001). Ciprofloxacin demonstrated the lowest MIC for both wild strains. Results suggest potential antibacterial properties in tree ash, warranting further investigation