ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF THE FRUIT PULP OF THREE LOCAL FRUITS: Morinda citrifolia, Persea americana AND Musa sapientum IN GUYANA

The present study aim to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Morinda citrifolia (Noni), Persea americana (Avocado) and Musa sapientum (Banana) fruits against certain bacterial and fungal strains using disc diffusion method. All the test extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity on certain pathogens. The highest zone of inhibition occurred on Staphylococcus sp. by the ethanol avocado extract. Overall, Staphylococcus was most susceptible to the ethanol extracts while Candida albicans was the most resistant. The extracts were proved as strong inhibitors against bacteria than fungi, however the test extracts of Avocado found to be effective on both bacteria and fungi. The phytochemical chemical analysis of the fruit extracts revealed the presence of common phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, reducing sugar, saponins and glycosides. These phytoconstituents found in the fruit extracts would be viable in treating infectious diseases.