Effects of Potash Alum and Lime on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens Isolated from Wound Infection

Abstract

The study was aimed at examining the effects of potash alum and lime on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens isolated from wound infection. With the aid of swab sticks, 250 wound samples were collected from surgical wounds patients admitted to different hospitals in Onitsha, Anambra State and cultured using spread plating technique. Isolates were characterized using standard microbiological technique. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of the potash alum, lime and the combination of potash alum and lime were determined by preparing different concentration of these substances. Some of the experimental animal’s immune response were suppressed with cyclophosphamide which was injected intraperitoneally without anesthesia, before they were inoculated with the test isolates and allowed to develop infection. Both the healthy and immunocompromised albino mice that developed infection were treated with potash alum, lime and the mixture of potash alum and lime. Phytochemicals screening of the lime juice showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and reducing sugars. The MIC of potash alum was effective on Serratia marcescens at 6.25% and on Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 12.5%. The MIC of lime was effective on Serratia marcescens at 12.5% and on Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 25%. The MIC of the combination of potash alum and lime was effective on Serratia marcescens at 6.25% and on Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 12.5%. The combination of potash alum and lime was most effective in the wound healing, indicating the possibility of synergy between the two.