European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Abdulfatai K, Abdullahi B, Jaafaru IA, Rabiu I

Abstract
Bacillary dysentery due to Shigella and Salmonella species has become an important cause of serious morbidity and mortality especially in children less than 5 years of age. In many instances the infecting strains have become resistant to the most commonly recommended antibiotics, making it challenging to treat their infections. Stool samples were collected at Barau Dikko Teaching hospital Kaduna and Salmonella and Shigella spp. were successfully isolated. The isolates were further reconfirmed using commercial identification systems. Fresh Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) plant was collected from the Biological Science Garden, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the soluble ingredients in the grounded leaf were extracted by percolation using Methanol and distilled water as separate solvents. The Aqueous and Methanolic plant extracts were analyzed phytochemically and some phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoids, Tannins and Alkaloids were observed. The extracts were observed to exhibit an antibacterial activity against the isolates, with the Methanolic extracts having higher inhibitory effect than the Aqueous extracts. Shigella species were found to be more susceptible to all the extracts, than Salmonella. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the Methanolic extracts was observed at a concentration of 125mg/ml on both Salmonella and Shigella, and the Minimum Bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the Methanolic leaf extracts was observed at 100% concentration (500mg/ml). The inhibitory effect of the plant against the isolates is an indication that the plant holds great potentials as effective reservoir where novel antimicrobial drugs can be derived. This research work seeks to find effective alternatives in the treatment of diseases caused by Shigella and Salmonella species using plant extracts of Pigeon pea.