ASSESSING THE ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF SECURINEGA VIROSA ROOT EXTRACT AGAINST GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT BACTERIA INFECTION IN BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) infections among poultry birds is a major challenge in the poultry industry with E. coli becoming the most common bacteria species implicated. Intestinal infection does not only create huge economic loss but cause diseases in humans. The aim of this research was to assess the antimicrobial potential of Securinega virosa root extract on gastrointestinal tract infections notably, pathogenic E. coli. Extracts from S. virosa roots were obtained using two different solvents (ethanol and acetone) to compare the solvent that yields the highest quantity with the most active ingredients for further studies. Screening of the plant extract was done using Gas chromatography molecular spectrometer. The extract obtained using acetone was used to examine its effect on E. coli and Lactobacilli in vivo after infecting them with E. coli as it delivered the most active ingredients of antimicrobial properties. Some important ingredients contained in the root extract of the S. virosa included Quinic acid, 2-Pyridinecarboxamide, N-(1- phenylpropyl)-, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, Pyrazole[4,5- b]imidazole, 1-formyl-3-ethyl-6-á-d-ribofuranosyl-, Octadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1,3- propanediyl ester, Phthalic acid, di(2-propylpentyl) ester, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, 2,3-bis[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]propyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)-, 2(1H)-Naphthalenone, octahydro-, trans-, 3-Furanacetic acid, 4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo, 2-Coumaranone, Hordenine, Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid, methyl-phenyl-amide, n-Hexadecanoic acid and 8-Amino 6-methoxy-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline, These phytochemicals were found to contain anti-microbial properties and had significant effect on E. coli at a concentration of 1mg/mL and 0.5mg/mL resulting in a growth of 20 CFU and 247 CFU respectively as compared with the standard antibiotic used for treating broilers which gave 400 CFU at the same concentration. It is worth being used in the treatment of broiler chickens