Exploring Antibacterial and Preservative Properties of Lemongrass Oil

I am Paul Wanjala Fednand, a Master of Science candidate under the African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity.

I have had a great exciting experience at Mzuzu University under the supervision of Associate Professor Elijah Wanda and Associate Prof John F. Kamanula.

I have gained knowledge in different laboratories, during extraction of essential oils, chemical analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Flourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), antibacterial activity assays at Mzuzu Central Hospital, and shelf-life studies at Mzuzu University Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Laboratory.

The research is based on the application of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) oils as an antibacterial agent exhibiting a  high activity against Gram-positive vs Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212)and Gram- negative: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) pathogenic microbes and as bio-preservative with a potential to extent the shelf-life of fresh Oreochromis shiranus (Chambo) for 18 hoursand Termitomyces titanicus (wild edible mushrooms) local name bowa for three days under ambient storage temperatures.

Based on the results of the study, C. citratus oil from the study areas, is of high quality, with high antimicrobial and preservation properties, suggesting that it can be used in pharmaceutical and food industries.

The knowledge and experience I have gained have inspired me to pursue a PhD in the near future.