Evaluation of the Antagonistic Activity of Bacteria Isolated from Palm Wine (Raphia vinifera) on Salmonella Typhi from Different Sources

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the antagonistic effect of bacteria associated with palm wine from Raphia vinifera on Salmonella typhi, the etiological agent of typhoid fever.

Method: Isolation and identification of bacteria from palm wine and the isolation of S. typhi from different sources were done using standard microbiological techniques. The antagonistic assay of each isolated bacteria on S. typhi was also done using microbiological standard.

Results: The bacteria isolated from the palm wine used comprised six bacteria species namely; Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus roseus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus lactis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Out of the isolated bacteria, Lactobacillus brevis exerted the highest growth inhibitory effect on most of the S. typhi isolated from different sources and also the typed isolate (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ATCC 33458) used. The growth inhibition mediated by L. brevis is superior to that of all the conventional antibiotics used.

Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that L. brevis from palm wine (R. vinifera) could be used to treat cases of typhoid fever caused by S. typhi.