Aim: The aim of this research is to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of different fruit extracts (strawberry, citrus lemon, and green apple) against microbial growth, using chloramphenicol as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control.
Objectives:
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Preparation of the Culture Environment:
- Ignite a candle and a spirit lamp on either side of the setup to create a sterile environment and minimize microbial contamination during the experiment.
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Setup of the Petri Dish:
- Divide a petri dish into five labeled segments: Sample 1 (strawberry), Sample 2 (citrus lemon), Sample 3 (green apple), + Control (chloramphenicol), and – Control (distilled water).
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Sterilization of Salt Solutions:
- Heat the vial containing salt solutions over flame to sterilize and eliminate any potential contaminants before opening.
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Swabbing Procedure:
- Use a sterile swab to collect a sample from the vial, ensuring it is fully saturated with the salt solution.
- Swab the petri dish segments while maintaining proximity to the flame to prevent contamination.
- Dispose of the used swab safely to avoid contamination.
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Placement of Filter Paper:
- Use sterilized forceps to place three pieces of filter paper in the designated segments of the petri dish (one piece per sample segment), including one on the – Control segment, ensuring to flame the forceps between uses.
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Application of Controls:
- Add a drop of chloramphenicol to the + Control segment and a drop of deionized distilled water to the – Control segment.
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Application of Fruit Samples:
- Utilize a micropipette to extract small amounts of the fruit samples (strawberry, citrus lemon, green apple) and deliver them onto their corresponding filter papers while maintaining a sterile technique.
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Sealing and Incubation:
- Close the petri dish securely and seal it with parafilm tape to maintain sterility during incubation.
- Record the initial time and incubate the setup for a duration of 24, 48, and 72 hours.
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Observation and Measurement:
- At the 24, 48, and 72-hour marks, observe the results and measure the zone of inhibition in each segment to determine the antimicrobial effects of the fruit extracts compared to the positive and negative controls.
By achieving these objectives, the research seeks to provide insights into the antimicrobial properties of various fruit extracts and their potential applications.