Proximate analysis and antimicrobial activities of Bambusa vulgaris L. leaves beverage

Nutrient analysis of aqueous extract (100 ml) of Bambusa vulgaris L. (Bambusoideae) leaves, (50 g) and the fortified extract of the leaves (fortified with orange and pineapple juices in varying proportion of 50 to 90%) together with their mineral and antimicrobial effect were carried out. The antimicrobial effect was determined with respect to their inhibitory effect on the growth of Bacillus cerise, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus spp. and a fungus Aspergilus niger. The results revealed that the leaves contained 10.75% moisture, 10.34% ash, 8.45% crude protein, 13.13% crude fat, 37.60% crude fibre and 19.73% carbohydrate content. The fortified bamboo extract with orange juice had higher value of vitamin C compared with extracts fortified with pineapple juice. The extract fortified with pineapple juice however had best general acceptability. Mineral analysis revealed that Mg, Na, K and Ca were generally high while Fe, Mn and Cu were low but Pb was not detected. Antimicrobial screening showed that the bamboo’s leave extract was active against Lactobacillus spp. Fortification with orange and pineapple juices enhanced the inhibitory effect against E. coli and Lactobacillus spp.   Key words: Proximate, mineral, Bambusa vulgaris L., antimicrobial, fruit juice.