Antimicrobial Activities of Garcinia kola Seed Oil against Some Clinical Microbial Isolates

Oils, fats including their hydrolytic products (glycerol and fatty acids) are widely used as raw materials in food, cosmetics, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, the seed oil of Garcinia kola was investigated for its antimicrobial properties. The seed oil, extracted with n-hexane by cold maceration was assessed for the presence of secondary metabolites and thereafter tested against some bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae), fungal (Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillum notatum and Candida albicans) clinical isolates. Qualitative phytochemical tests as well as thin layer chromatographic profile of the oil indicated the presence of some dissolved secondary metabolites such as phenols and alkaloids. The oil was found to possess a broad-spectrum of activity which is concentration-dependent against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolates as well as the fungi isolates. The oil could find applications in the formulation of antimicrobial creams and lotions for treating skin diseases, in food preservation and in folk medicine.