Browsing by Author "Nwakire, Everestus Chibuike"

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    Preservative efficacy of some medicinal plant extracts in the shelf-life of some probiotic drink
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-08) Nwakire, Everestus Chibuike
    This study evaluated the preservative efficacy of some medicinal plant extracts in the shelf-life extension of some probiotic drinks. The study adopted an experimental study design. Hibiscus sabdariffa (calyces) and Cyperus esculentus tigernut tubers were obtained from Relief Market, Egbu Road, Owerri while medicinal plants, such as; Moringa oleifera, Alstonia boonei and Pterocarpus santalinoides were collected from the trees at Aboh Mbaise L.G.A, Imo State. Each leaf was aseptically ground and 100 grams extracted using 100 ml by boiling in sterile beakers. Four (4) different concentrations of the extracts (10.0 ml, 30.0 ml, 50.0 ml and 100 ml) were used to preserve the probiotic drinks. Sensory/organoleptic properties, microbial load and physicochemical properties of the probiotic drinks were examined for eight (8) weeks. Results showed the presence of saponins, anthraquinones, phenols, alkaloids, tannins, phlobatannins, anthranoids and cardiac glycosides in the medicinal plants. The temperature of the probiotic drinks remained stable between 26.5 and 27.2 0C throughout the shelf-life extension properties determination. pH of the probiotic drinks became acidic from week 7 to week 8. The colour and odour were stable throughout the preservation period. Total viable bacterial count ranged from 3.0 x 101 cfu/ml to 8.0 x 102 cfu/ml with probiotic drink preserved with Moringa oleifera leaf, 8.0 x 101 cfu/ml to 7.2 x 102 cfu/ml with probiotic drink preserved with Alstonia bonnie leaf and 8.0 x 101 cfu/ml to 8.8 x 102 cfu/ml with probiotic drink preserved with Pterocarpus santalinoides leaf. There was an increase in the total viable bacterial count from week 6 to week 8, with the control sample (unpreserved zobo drink) having the highest microbial load. Bacterial isolates such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc species were detected. Fungal isolates; Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Aspergillus and Rhizopus species were detected. There was a significant association between the preservative efficacy of the medicinal plants and the shelf-life extension properties of the preserved probiotic drinks. The study concluded that medicinal plants could be used to preserve probiotic drinks, hence, their uses should be adequately exploited in the society.