1.1 Background of Study
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is a plant, which belongs to the family of Liliaceae and is mostly succulent with a whorl of elongated, pointed leaves (Strickland et al., 2004; Beckford and Badrie, 2000). The name is derived from the Arabic word ‘alloeh' which means ‘bitter', referring to the taste of the liquid contained in the leaves. Aloe that is believed to have originated in the Sudan. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa, India and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. Aloe vera is a perennial, drought resisting, succulent plant. It has stiff green, lance-shaped leaves containing clear gel in a central mucilaginous pulp. Its thick leaves contain the water supply for the plant to survive long periods of drought (Foster, 1999). The leaves have a high capacity of retaining water also in very warm dry climates and it can survive very harsh circumstances. When a leaf in cut, an orange-yellow sap drips from the open end, the green skin of a leaf is removed a clear mucilaginous substances appears that contains fibres, water and the ingredient to retain the water in the leaf. The gel contains 99.3% of water, the remaining 0.7% is made up of solids with carbohydrates constituting for a large components (Foster, 1999). Concentrated extracts of Aloe leaves are used as laxative and as a haemorrhoid treatment. Aloe gel can help to stimulate the body's immune system (Davis, 1997). The use of plant product for pharmaceutical purpose has been gradually increased. According to World Health Organisation, medicinal plants would be the best source for obtaining a variety of drugs (Santos et al., 1995). The use of plant extracts, with known antimicrobial properties, can be of great significance in the treatment of various microbial infections. In the last decade, numerous studies have been conducted in different countries to prove such efficiency in number of medicinal plants. Most of the studies are restricted with crude extracts (Reddy et al., 2006; Erdo Urul, 2002; Atefl et al., 2003).
Traditional medicine is in practice for many centuries by a substantial proportion of the population of many centuries. It is recognized that in some developing countries, plants are the main medicinal source to treat various infectious diseases. Plant extracts represent a continuous effort to find new compound against pathogens. Approximately 20% of the plants are found in the world have been submitted to pharmacological or biological test, and a substantial number of new antibiotics introduced on the market are obtained from natural or semisynthetic resources (Mothana and Linclequist, 2005). Many scientific studies of the use of aloe vera have been undertaken, some of them conflicting. Despite these limitations, there is some preliminary evidence that Aloe vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, minor skin infections, Sebaceous cyst, diabetes, and elevated blood lipids in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones, and lectins.
The use of Aloes, the common musabbar, for external application to inflamed painful parts of the body and for causing purgation are too well known in India to need any special mention.
1.2 Statement of Problems
The study reveals the following problems associated with the phytochemical components and antibacterial effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli and staphylococcal isolates from the University of Abuja;
- Lack proper estimation of the phytochemical components and antibacterial effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli,
- Inadequate information relating to the adverse effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli,
- Lack of proper and precise information relating to the e.coli and staphylococcal isolates.
1.3 Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to identify and determine the phytochemical components and antibacterial effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli and staphylococcal isolates from the University of Abuja. Therefore, the objectives of this research were:
- To estimate the phytochemical components and antibacterial effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli,
- Provision of information relating to the adverse effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli,
- To provide proper and precise information relating to the e.coli and staphylococcal isolates.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research work when completed and implemented it will help in the determination of phytochemical components and antibacterial effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli and staphylococcal isolates from the University of Abuja.
Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.5 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the antibacterial effect of aloe vera leaf gel against e.coli and staphylococcal isolates from the University of Abuja.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.7 Definition of Technical Terms
Phytochemical: This is a substance produced mainly by plants, and these substances have biological activity.
Component: it simply means one part of a whole thing.
Antibacterial: Anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs all have antibacterial properties.
Effect: a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that's been used to treat various health conditions for thousands of years. It's usually safe to use also vera directly from the plant or you can buy it in gel form.
E.coli: Is an acronym for Escherichia coli which is a bacterium commonly found in the intestines of humans and other animals, some strains of which can cause severe food poisoning.
Staphylococcal: Staphylococcus (staph) is a group of bacteria. There are more than 30 types. A type called Staphylococcus aureus causes most infections. Staph bacteria can cause many different types of infections, including. Skin infections, which are the most common types of staph infections.
Isolates: isolate simply means cause (a person or place) to be or remain alone or apart from others.
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