Assessment of the Preservative Efficacy of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and Psidium guajava L. Leaf Extracts on Capsicum annuum L. (Bell Pepper)

This study assessed the preservative efficacy of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Psidium guajava (Guava) leaf extracts on Capsicum annuum (Bell pepper). The phytochemical compositions of A. indica and P. guajava leaf extracts were determined using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponnin, anthraquinone tannin, steroid, terpenoid, flavonoid and glycosides in ethanol extracts of Azadirachta Indica A. Juss. and Psidium guajava L. leaves and tannin, terpenoid, flavonoid and glycosides are present in n-hexane extracts of the selected plants. Among the phytochemicals identified, Terpenoid was the highest in value (25.79mg/g) and saponnin has the least value (3.27 mg/g). The ethanolic extracts of Guava had the highest inhibition against the growth of Staphyloccoccus aureus (35.00±1.15 mm).The n-hexane extracts of Neem leaves had the lowest inhibition against the growth of Staphyloccoccus sp (8.00±0.57 mm). Ethanolic extract has the highest antifungal effect against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (58.66±0.90 mm). Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the ethanol extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and Psidium guajava L. leaves are more effective than the n-hexane extracts of P. guajava and A. indica leaves because it effectively inhibited the growth of the microorganisms. The Capsicum annuum L. fruits coated with selected plant extracts were preserved for a longer period than the uncoated fruits. All these results therefore suggest that the leaf extracts of P. guajava and A. indica can be used as bio preservatives for the extension of the shelf life of C. annuum.