Antibacterial Activity Of Shea Butter And Coconut Oil On Some Pathogenic Organisms

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the invitro antimicrobial activity of shea butter and virgin coconut oil on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The isolates were subjected to antibacterial susceptibility test using the paper disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the oils was determined using the broth dilution method. Staphylococcus aureus (3.50±0.40mm) was the most susceptible to shea butter while Streptococcus mutans (3.66±0.47mm) was most susceptible to virgin coconut oil; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.00±0.00mm) showed the least sensitivity to both oils. The MIC of shea butter was 50% against all the test organisms except Pseudomonas aeruginosa (100%). Virgin coconut oil also had MIC of 50% while the MIC of the synergistic assay of both oils was 25% against all isolates. The efficacy of the synergistic effect of the oils was comparable to that of standard antibiotics; Cloxacillin and Ceftriaxone. The physicochemical analysis of shea butter and virgin coconut oil was carried out using standard analytical procedures and confirmed their suitability as raw materials for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. This study recommends the use of both oils as therapeutic agents as well as a potential source of antibiotic substance for drug development. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ﾿ i

Certification ﾿ ii

Dedication ﾿ iii

Acknowledgements ﾿ iv

Table of Contents ﾿ v

Lists of Tables ﾿ vii

Abstract ﾿ ix

CHAPTER ONE 

1.0 Introduction ﾿ 1

1.1 Aim and Objectives ﾿ 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review ﾿ 5

2.1 Shea butter Tree ﾿ 5

2.2 Production of Shea butter ﾿ 6

2.3 Composition of Shea butter ﾿ 7

2.4 Uses of Shea butter ﾿ 8

2.5 Therapeutic Uses of Shea butter ﾿ 8

2.6 Coconut Tree ﾿ 9

2.7 Coconut Fruit ﾿ 10

2.8 Coconut Water ﾿ 10

2.9 Coconut Milk ﾿ 11

2.10 Extraction of Coconut Oil ﾿ 11

2.11 Composition of Coconut Oil ﾿ 12

2.12 Uses of Coconut Oil ﾿ 13

2.13 Therapeutic Uses of Coconut Oil ﾿ 13

2.14 Overview of Test Organisms ﾿ 14

2.15 Antibacterial Agents ﾿ 18

2.16 Antibacterial Susceptibility and Resistance ﾿ 18

2.17 Antibacterial Synergy ﾿ 20

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Method ﾿ 21

3.1 Collection of Samples ﾿ 21

3.2 Preparation of Virgin Coconut Oil ﾿ 21

3.3 Sterilization ﾿ 21

3.4 Collection and Maintenance of Test Organisms ﾿ 21

3.5 Assay of Antibacterial activity of Shea butter and Virgin coconut oil ﾿ 22 ﾿

3.6 Synergistic Antibacterial Assay ﾿ 22

3.7 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ﾿ 23

3.8 Statistical Analysis ﾿ 23

3.9 Physicochemical Analysis ﾿ 24

3.9.1 Determination of Saponification value ﾿ 24

3.9.2 Determination of Iodine value ﾿ 25

3.9.3 Determination of Acid value ﾿ 25

3.9.4 Determination of Smoke, Flash and Fire point ﾿ 26

3.9.5 Determination of Moisture content ﾿ 26 ﾿

3.9.6 Determination of Peroxide Value ﾿ 27

3.9.7 Determination of Refractive index ﾿ 27

3.9.8 Determination of Melting point ﾿ 28 ﾿

3.9.9 Determination of Free fatty acid ﾿ 28

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results ﾿ 29

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation ﾿ 34

5.1 Discussion ﾿ 34

5.2 Conclusion ﾿ 37

5.3 Recommendation ﾿ 38

References ﾿ 39