Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Some Wild Nutraceutical Plant Species from Nebbi District, Uganda

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of selected wild nutraceutical plants from Nebbi district in Uganda.
Study Design: Experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity, Makerere University, between January and March 2012.
Methodology: The diameters of the zones of inhibition and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were determined using the Agar well diffusion Assay and the serial dilution methods respectively.
Results: Seven plant species were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Candida albicans (clinical isolates). The ether extract for Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile showed the lowest MIC (150 µg/ml) against C. albicans, with a corresponding large diameter of the zone of inhibition (22.0 mm). The ether extract of Capparis erythrocarpos Isert. showed the highest activity against C. albicansand S. aureus, with MIC values of 330 µg/ml and 400 µg/ml respectively.
Conclusion: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, and Capparis erythrocarpos Isert were the most potent antifungal and antibacterial nutraceutical plant species. The ether extract of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, had the lowest MIC (150 µg/ml) against C. albicans and Capparis erythrocarpos Isert. showed the highest activity against C. albicans, S. aureus, and E. coli with MIC values of 330 µg/ml, 400 µg/ml and 320 µg/ml, respectively. The bioactivity of the selected wild nutriceutical plant species can be used to justify their ethnobotanical uses as ‘medicinal foods’.