Antibacterial Activities of Vernonia Amygdalina Extract on Clinical Isolates in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Student: Kefas Philip (Project, 2025)
Department of Microbiology
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State


Abstract

This study examined the antibacterial activities of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) extract against selected clinical isolates obtained from Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The plant, known for its medicinal value, was extracted using aqueous and ethanol solvents. The extracts were tested against common bacterial isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar well diffusion method. Results revealed that the ethanol extract showed higher inhibitory effects compared to the aqueous extract. The study concludes that Vernonia amygdalina possesses significant antibacterial properties and could serve as a natural, accessible alternative to synthetic antibiotics, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Keywords
Vernonia amygdalina antibacterial activity clinical isolates Keffi plant extract alternative medicine phytochemicals