Antimicrobial potential of 27 plants consumed by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus Blumenbach) in Ivory Coast.
BACKGROUND
Due to their genetic proximity, chimpanzees share with human several diseases including bacterial, fungal and viral infections, such as candidiasis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), Ebola virus disease. However, in its natural environment, chimpanzees are tolerant to several pathogens including simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), virus related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that contribute to the emergence of opportunistic diseases such as microbial infections.


METHODS
Twenty seven species of plants consumed by chimpanzees were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata using the agar diffusion technique and micro-dilution in 96-well plates. In total 132 extracts (33 dichloromethane, 33 methanol, 33 ethyl acetate and 33 aqueous) were tested.


RESULTS
The results showed that 24 extracts (18 %) showed activity against bacteria and 6 extracts (5 %) were active against yeasts. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) values of active extracts ranged between 23 and 750 μg/ml for bacteria and between 188 and 1500 μg/ml for yeasts.


CONCLUSIONS
Tristemma coronatum was the most promising on the studied microorganisms followed by Beilschmiedia mannii. The extracts of the two plants indicated by chimpanzees have potential for antimicrobial use in human.
Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Nature, Université Nangui Abrogoua, BP 801 Abidjan 02, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. constant.ahoua@csrs.ci.|Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. constant.ahoua@csrs.ci.
Angora Rémi Constant
AR
Ahoua
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. georgette.konan@csrs.ci.|Laboratoire de Biochimie et Science des aliments, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, BP 582 Abidjan 22, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. georgette.konan@csrs.ci.
Amoin Georgette
AG
Konan
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. bassirou.bonfoh@csrs.ci.
Bassirou
B
Bonfoh
Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Nature, Université Nangui Abrogoua, BP 801 Abidjan 02, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. mamidou.kone@csrs.ci.|Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. mamidou.kone@csrs.ci.
Mamidou Witabouna
MW
Koné
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D004032:Diet; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts