ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF FERMENTED FRUIT EXTRACT OF LAGENARIA BREVIFLORA (ROBERT) AGAINST SOME BACTERIA PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH POULTRY
The use of botanical extracts as alternative antibiotics in poultry production is fast gaining acceptance and popularity in Nigeria and other West African countries. This study investigated the antibacterial potentials of fermented Lagenaria breviflora fruit extract (FLBFE) at low concentrations on some bacteria associated with poultry infections with a view to recommending it to farmers for use as alternative antibiotics. Two kilograms of peeled sliced fruits were soaked in 1000 mL of sterile cold water, covered and fermented in dark dried condition for 7 days. The FLBFE (2g /mL) was further diluted to 2, 1 and 0.5 mg/mL respectively. Isolation of bacteria was done following standard microbiological assay from faeces, drinkers and feeders samples. Antibacterial activity of the different concentrations of the FLBFE was tested against bacteria isolates from the samples using Agar well Diffusion Method. Treatments were replicated thrice in a Completely Randomized Design. Data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance via the SPSS statistical package and significant variance among means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).Results revealed the presence of six bacteria genera: Proteus, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas. Higher diversity of these organisms were observed in the fecal samples. The isolates from feeders were predominantly Klebsiella species, while those of the drinkers were Enterobacter species and Proteus species. Zone of inhibition of the test bacteria by the fermented extract followed a concentration dependent pattern. 2mg/mL of the extracts was the most effective and had the best inhibition at15.17±4.22, 14.80±2.52 and 14.97±4.58 for feeder, drinker and fecal samples respectively, followed by 1mg/mL and 0.5mg/mL which was the least. Significant variation (P>0.05) of the impact of the FLBFE do not exist largely among isolates from different feeders, drinkers or stool samples. The study has shown that the fermented fruit extract of Lagenaria breviflora has good inhibitory and broad spectrum activities at low concentration against many poultry-associated bacteria, hence can effectively serve as substitute to antibiotics in poultry management.
Keywords: Poultry, associated, bacteria, fermented extract, Lagenaria breviflora, antibacterial, antibiotics.
