The in-vitro antibacterial activity of root and leaf extracts of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) against some selected bacteria

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) belongs to the family malvaceae and is widely cultivated in India, Africa, American and Brazil for its fibrous fruits containing round, white seeds. This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of dried leaves and roots of okra against some selected potential bacterial pathogens. Fresh leaves and roots of Abelmoschus esculentus were collected, air-dried at room temperature and extracted separately using ethanol as solvent of extraction. Phytochemical analysis was conducted and the extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against some selected bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar well diffusion method. It was observed that the leaf extract showed maximum inhibitory effect on all the tested organisms with Staphylococcus aureus a gram positive showing the highest susceptibility (10.05 ±0.95 at 0.125mg/l) and E. coli a gram negative showing activity only with increased concentration of the extract (10.18 ±0.82 at 0.5mg/l) compared to the root extract, which had activity on only one organism, pseudomonas aeruginosa with a zone of inhibition of (6.97 ±0.80 at 0.125mg/l) and (21.97 ±0.96 at 0.5mg/l). statistical analysis using t- test showed that there was a significant difference between the activity of the two ethanolic extracts (p value ˂ 0.5). The inhibitory activity against all the bacteria gives insight into the development of antibacterial agents and their application in pharmacological activities. The bioactive contents of okra leaves and roots are promising natural antimicrobial agents that can be harnessed as potent antibacterial agents