Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF COCONUT OIL AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF COCONUT OIL AND IT’S DERIVATIVE [LAURIC ACID]

Harshithkumar K.N.*, Kruthika B.C. and Pavitra T.

ABSTRACT

Coconut oil is an edible oil obtained from the kernel of harvested mature coconuts of the coconut palm. In recent years this oil has attained superstardom in the health food world. A number of health benefits have been attributed to this oil. These include benefits in skin care, hair care, stress relief, weight loss and cholesterol level maintenance, immunomodulatory effects, cardiovascular uses, and more recently in Alzheimer’s disease. This research study is aimed at evaluating the phytochemical content of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil and determines the susceptibility pattern against some selected microbes. The findings revealed that it contained phytochemicals; alkaloid, glycosides, resins, saponins, tannins and terpenoid. This study investigates the in vitro antimicrobial activity of coconut oil and its fatty acid (lauric acid) on selected clinical isolates. Clinical isolates were obtained from the Microbiology Labs. Media preparation and biochemical examination of the organisms were done according to standard methods. Organisms used were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Coconut oil was extracted through fermentation method were as lauric acids was esterified from coconut oil through freezing and were subjected to sterility test. Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion assay was used for the sensitivity assessment. Zones of inhibition were measured in diameter. Coconut oil showed resistant on the isolates at the various dilution concentrations. Lauric acid demonstrated significantly appreciable antimicrobial effect on the test organisms with the highest zone of inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus (10.50) mm, and the lowest inhibition on Escherichia coli (4.00) mm even at the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Escherichia coli which showed relatively low zone of inhibition even at the highest dilution concentration. The acid generally demonstrated appreciable sensitivity on the isolates with low effect on E. coli compare to other strains. This study recommends the use of coconut oil as therapeutic agent as well as in fighting antibiotic resistant since it contains lauric acid which is bactericidal.

Keywords: Introduction of Coconut oil, Phytochemical constituents, Purity test, Antimicrobial Activity, lauric acid clinical isolates.