Ultrastructural Study of Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) Leaf and Antimicrobial Activity of its Methanol Extract against Staphylococcus Aureus

Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of Elaeis guineensis leaf against Staphylococcus aureus and to determine the effect of extract treatment on the microstructure of the microbe Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the methanol leaf extract of the plant against S. aureus was examined using disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were carried out to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of S. aureus after treatment with the extract. Results: The extract showed a good antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 6.25 mg/mL and for Chloramphenicol was 30.00 μg/mL. The main changes observed under SEM and TEM were structural disorganization of the cell membrane which occurred after 12 h and total collapse of the cell 36 h after exposure to the extract. Conclusion: We concluded that the methanolic extract of E. guineensis leaf exhibited good antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and this is supported by SEM and TEM.