Antibacterial Activity of Zea mays Silks and Husks Crude Extract on Biofilm Producing Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria from Urinary Catheters

Aims: This study was carried out to investigate the in-vitro antibacterial effect of the crude extracts of Corn (Zea mays) silks and husks on selected biofilm producing multi-drug resistant bacteria isolated from urinary catheter tips.

Study Design: Experimental design.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Ondo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Bacterial isolates from urinary catheter tips were screened for biofilm production. The biofilm producing isolates were subjected to commercial antibiotics and isolates resistant to more than three classes of antibiotics were used for the study. Methanol and distilled water were used as extracting solvents for the corn silks and husks. The antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of the extracts were carried out using standard procedures.

Results: The phytochemical analysis of the methanol and aqueous extracts of corn husks and silks revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. The aqueous extract of corn husk showed highest inhibitory effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci with zones of inhibition ranging from 14.80 ± 1.89 mm to 24.40 ± 2.51 mm at 200 mg/mL. Proteus mirabilis exhibited resistance against all the extracts.

Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed the antibacterial potential of corn silks and husks extracts at varying concentrations. The potency of aqueous extract of husk at lower concentration (200 mg/mL) suggests its potential use in the treatment of urinary tract bacteria especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci.