Phytochemical screening, macronutrients analysis and antimicrobial activity of water from mature coconut fruit grown in sandy and loam soils at coast of Kenya.

Abstract

Mature coconuts fruits were collected from two blocks in Kilifi and Kwale Counties at the Coast in Kenya. They were broke open and the water inside extracted using n-hexane, ethanol and ethyl acetate for 18 hours. For macronutrients analysis, plain (untreated) coconut water was used, n-hexane and ethanolic extracts for phytochemical screening and n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts for antimicrobial activity against bacteria (E. coli, S. aureus, P. aureginosa) and fungi (C. albicans) with tetracycline, gentamycin, streptomycin and fluconazole as the standards, respectively. The results of different extracts and soils were compared using student’s t-test at 95% confidence level. Coconut water had macro-nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils. Phytochemicals present included: flavonoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, glycosides and acidic compounds. The macro-nutrients and proximate composition of coconuts from palm growing in sand and loam soils were significantly different (p<0.05) with higher concentration found in coconuts from palm growing in sand soils. However, the macro-nutrients proximate composition of the different extracts from the same soil had no significant difference (p>0.05). The antimicrobial of different extracts from different soils had no significant difference (p>0.05). Thus, growth of coconut palms in sandy soils may be encouraged for better quality products from the coconut palms.