Balanites aegyptiaca: An antimicrobial and molluscicidal agent

The antimicrobial and molluscicidal activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca were evaluated with the aim of determining their molluscicidal and antimicrobial potentials. Phytochemical evaluation of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem-bark and root of B. aegyptiaca revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites in all the plant parts, but not the two extracts. The antimicrobial screening of the aqueous and methanolic extracts were carried out on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans.The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the leaf extracts ranged between 3.125-12.5mg/ml. The effects of the extracts of the two mollusc species was significant P<0.05. Further studies on non-target species is recommended.