Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties of Some Medicinal Plants for Fresh Cassava Roots Preservation

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of water, petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of three medicinal plants were investigated on the growth of Botryodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus sp., Mucor and Erwinia spp isolated from rotted cassava roots on potato dextrose agar. The ethanol extracts of garlic and Landolphia owerrience gave a wider spectrum of activity against the pathogens compared to that of petroleum ether and water. The combination of the extracts of Garlic (Alium sativum) and Garcinia kola demonstrated a remarkable inhibition of the pathogens after 16 days in storage with 2% rot, while that of Garlic and Landolphia owerrience roots exhibited little or no activity unlike the individual extracts. The potency shown by the extracts in overcoming the colonies of the tested pathogens recommends their use as protectants rather than eradicants.