Inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms by ethnobotanical extracts of fruit peels of musa paradisiaca.

ABSTRACT

Ethanolic and water extracts of fruit peels of Musa paradisiaca were investigated for antimycotic activities and phytochemical properties on Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Microsporum audouninii and Epidermophyton floccosum. The phytochemial analysis revealed that saponins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins were the active compounds. The agar diffusion method was used to assay for the antifungal properties on the test isolates the standard drug used was fluconazole. The results showed that the extract at different concentrations inhibited the growth of all the test isolates. The ethanolic extract was more effective than the water extract of the plant and zones of inhibition increased with increase in concentration of extract the result of this investigation demonstrate the potentials of Musa paradisiaca extracts as a source of chemotherapeutic agent that could be harnessed for use in health care delivery. This work also authenticates the use of Musa paradisiaca in traditional soap production which is used by some people to treat skin infections.