Antibacterial activity of honey and palm kernel oil on clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of honey and palm kernel oil on clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The phytochemical analysis of the honey showed that it contained cardiac glycosides, deoxy sugars, saponins, and triterpenes while the palm kernel oil contained alkaloids and triterpenes. The antibacterial activity of the test agents was determined using the agar well diffusion technique; five different concentrations (20% v/v, 40% v/v, 60% v/v, 80% v/v, and 100% v/v) of the test agents were evaluated against the bacterial isolates. The honey showed antibacterial activity against both isolates (except the 20% v/v for Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at all concentrations used with antibacterial activity directly proportional to honey concentration and a better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (zone of inhibition 22mm) compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (zone of inhibition 20mm). The palm kernel oil did not show antibacterial activity against both isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the honey were determined using the broth dilution technique to be 40% v/v and 10% v/v for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus respectively while a minimum bactericidal concentration of 40% v/v and 20% v/v was obtained for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. This study shows that honey can provide alternative therapy against cases of drug/ multi-drug resistance as was seen in the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and can be used against both Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Palm kernel oil did not show antibacterial activity therefore, should be discouraged from use in the treatment of bacterial infections.