Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activities of Citrullus Lanatus Seed against some Pathogenic Microorganisms
Aim: To evaluate the phytochemical components and antibacterial potentials of Citrullus lanatus. Materials and Methods: This was carried out by the crude extraction of the seeds with hot water, ethanol and methanol. The extracts were used to determine the presence of phytochemicals. Stock cultures of test organism such as Staphylococcus aereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus pyogenes were used to test the antibacterial effects of the extracts using the agar well diffusion method. Results: The extracts showed presence of antibacterial activities which were compared to antibacterial activity of a commercial antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) against the test organisms. At 62.5mg, ethanol extract showed a weak inhibitory effect against Proteus mirabilis (3mm), Staphylococcus aureus (2mm) and Streptococcus pyogenes (2mm). Antibacterial activity of the extract was pronounced at higher concentrations (100, 500 and 250mg) for all the extracts. Hot and cold water extracts showed the presence of phenol and methanol extracts exhibited the highest bacterial activity. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenol, saponin, tannin, flavonoid, alkaloid and cyanogenic glycoside. Conclusion: From this research, watermelon seeds when properly extracted and purified, acts as antibiotics which can be used in treatment of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria.
