Healing Through Tradition : Investigating the Antimicrobial Effects of Ghanaian Medicinal Plants
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alvina Yeboah
Presenter(s): Alvina Yeboah
Mentors(s): Jenniffer Riley
Traditional medicine is a cornerstone of healthcare in Ghana, plant-based medicine is often the first option that many people choose when considering health care. This study investigates the antimicrobial effects of five traditional Ghanaian medicinal plants prekese (Tetrapleura tetraptera), hwentia (Xylopia aethiopica), neem (Azadirachta indica), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), and alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) against E.coli. Ethanolic extracts were prepared and infused into agar to assess their ability to inhibit bacterial growth. Bacterial growth was quantified by analyzing colony density and opacity. Preliminary results indicate that certain plant extracts exhibit varying levels of antimicrobial activity, with other treatments leading to visibly reduced bacterial activity. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics were completed to analyze the trends in the data. These findings highlight the importance and potential of plant-based antimicrobials. Future studies should consider testing additional bacterial strains , refining extraction methods and varying the concentrations of extracts. This research underscores the importance of bridging traditional knowledge with analysis to explore sustainable healthcare solutions for different communities.