Physico-chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of Ceiba pentandra (Kapok) seed oil

Oil extracted from Ceiba pentandra seed was studied to explore its suitability for ethnomedical uses with a special emphasis on its physiochemical characterization, antimicrobial behavior and spectrophotometric parameters. Some of the physiochemical properties were examined and compared with those of standard oils and, in particular, any common characteristics with cotton seed oil were evaluated. Spectrophotometric analysis of oil was carried out to obtain information regarding the types, numbers and position of chromophores and auxochrome, and saturated and unsaturated compounds. Crude Ceiba pentandra oil was found to show good to moderate activity against bacteria, and in particular Gram +ve (B. cereus, B. subtilis and S. aureus) and Gram -Ve (E. coli and P. aeurignosa) and fungal stains, more specifically Aspergillus flavans, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Maximum activity was observed on bacterial strains compared with fungal strains. Among bacteria, Bacillus subtilis was highly sensitive; fungi were less susceptible to oil and Saccharomyces cerivisiae were the most susceptible. Minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations of the seed oil varied between 3 to 10 mg/50 μL against all bacterial and fungal strains used in this study. In conclusion, Ceiba pentandra oil is a natural antimicrobial agent and could have therapeutic potential.