Chapter 1
Terminalia Catappa’s Antimicrobial Property

Introduction
With the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria, it has been an on going problem on how to fight these pathogens. The common treatment is by using antibiotics but because of its resistance to the existing drugs, there is a constant need to develop new drugs which is very expensive. One way to help solve this is to use a plant based drugs, not only it’s cheaper but also has fewer side effects.
There have been a lot of studies about the antimicrobial properties of Terminalia Catappa. Different extracts from different parts of this tree showed good result of having good antioxidant and antimicrobial property. This will be a good candidate for this study.
The researcher became interested in the study because although pharmaceutical companies developed a lot of antimicrobial drugs to combat multi-resistant bacterial strains, still people wants to try alternative herbal medicine if not to cure at least to have it as a supplement for the medicine that they are taking. It has been the practice even many years before by those people who can't afford medicine nor has an allergy on a certain chemical.

Review of Related Literature
A tradition medicinal practice called Herbalism has been using plants and plants extracts. It is also considered as one way of discovering potential medicine in the future. Plants has the capability of defending themselves against predators by using by releasing a chemical compounds. Such chemical compounds are believed to have helpful effects when used against human illnesses. Such chemical compounds that are found in most plants have similar effect by binding with the receptor molecules that is in human bodies which has the same effect on how conventional medicine works.[1]
Microbiologists have become interested in knowing more about plant extract for two reasons. First, because of its phytochemicals that can be combined with prescribed drugs against certain diseases and they also learned that antibiotics have a limited life span. Second, people are being aware of the problem with improper use of traditional medicine. A lot of these plants is easily available and its usually safe for human consumption.[1] Herbal medicine are now becoming popular around the world because of its properties.
One of the most common food that has an important role is nuts. This is always used as one of the supplement to give nutrients that is also found in cereals, legumes and vegetables. It has a highest quality amount of proteins and minerals which makes it as a good replacement for animal food. It also contains good amount of fats and oils.[2]
Commonly found tree in Southeast Asia and in some parts in Northern Australia, is a tree called Terminalia Catappa. This tree is being considered as a good candidate for pharmacological use. Terminalia species is a popular tree that has a medicinal value and it has been proven by many studies as a useful antigenotoxic and inflammatory. Because of its highly medicinal value, each part of the tree is being experimented by isolating different species for further test and possible future medicine. [3]
Variety of Terminalia Catappa is divided into two types, bitter and sweet. Sweet seeds are use as food ingredients and can be eaten as raw. This contains the enzyme amygdalins. Sweet seed can also be use in cosmetic products. Bitter seeds are used for oil extraction and for animal feeds.[4]
This tree has 1-1.5 m in diameter and a height that reaches 15-25m. It grows on a sandy and rocky coast. It is originally used as an ornamental due to its wide leaves. The color of its leaves turn from dark green to bright red, dark purplish red or yellow. Its flower doesn’t have any petals and it is very small. It has a rounded egg shaped green-red fruit. Inside is an encased oil- seed containing seeds with a fibrous covering. [5]
In folk medicine, the leaves, bark and fruit Terminalia Catappa is used to cure diarrhea, fever and haemostatic purpose. The leaves are used for treating hepatitis and other liver related diseases. It is also used as a dressing for rheumatic joints and when it’s boiled it can treat coughs and asthma. In Asian countries the leaves are being use for treating dermatitis and hepatitis because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative substance. The fruits are used for headache. The fibrous shell that encloses the kernel can be eaten without cooking it. The seeds itself tasted sweet, like an almond and it can also be roasted. In Taiwan it is regarded as an aphrodisiac and can be a treatment to a certain type of sexual dysfunction in other country.[6]
The kernel of Terminalia Catappa is rich in proteins and essential amino acids, lipids, unsaturated fatty acids and minerals including the most important are potassium, calcium and magnesium. Previous studies shows that the kernel of Terminalia Catappa on the nutritional value and biological activity can be easily digested and has a high level of antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic properties. This includes anti-HIV and anti-asthma properties as well.[6]
However, the potential of its fruit was not known by many specially on how to process and consume this fruit. So it’s very important that the people learn about the beneficial effect. [1]
To prepare for the seed extraction T. Catappa fruits were collected from different places. After the nuts have been sun dried for 7 days, remove the outer flesh manually with the use of scalpel then remove the kernel from the nut with a hammer. Some of the seeds is dried in the oven for 25 minutes at 125 degrees Celsius and allowed to cool, grind in the blender and weighed. Then to roast the seeds does the same step but, this time roast with the use of a frying pan for 20 minutes. For extracting oil from the seeds, the roasted or dried seeds will do by using the method of Ogunus and Badifu for 6 hours. This will also determine which seeds will yield more oil extract.[4]
It’s high protein level and lipids of the kernels show its nutritional value. It's almost the same with soybeans' protein content. In addition, this protein content of T. Catappa is two times higher than those of nuts, such as, peanuts, castor beans and sunflower. Thus proves that it is a good source of energy and it is safe for human consumption.[7]
Terminalia Catappa tree claimed useful in trado-medicine for the treatment of bacterial infection one of which is caused by Staphylococcus Aureus. These are group of bacteria that looks like clump of grapes which cause multiple of diseases ranging from mild to severe and potentially fatal. Staphylococcus Aureus are usually found on the different parts of healthy body of people and animals such as skin, hair, nose and throat. Since these bacteria multiply quickly at a room temperature and/or bloodstream and will start the infection. Unless the infection is not treated these bacteria will continue to spread. Skin infection is the most common type of infection caused by these bacteria. This can be transferred from person to person by hand contamination. Minor diseases of diseases that S. Aureus cause are pimples, impetigo, boils (furuncles), cellulitis folliculitis, and carbuncles. While major diseases are brain infections or meningitis, bone infections or osteomyelitis, heart infections or endocarditis. [8]
Extracting the oil in the seeds will lead us to know the chemical content that can be potent medicine with less negative effects. Therefore, this study is undertaken to discover the antimicrobial effect of the seeds on Staphylococcus Aureus organism.

Statement of the Problem
Nowadays a lot of microorganisms have started to get immune to different synthetic medicine. This research will try to find the answers on these following questions: 1. Can we safely use Terminalia Catappa seeds as an antibiotic against Staphyloccocus Aureus ? 2. How do we properly use the extract of T. Catappa seeds?

Significance of the Study
Students. I believe that most of the students don’t know that it’s possible to make a medicine with the trees that surround us. In this research student will know the way to obtain from it and it will be an additional knowledge for us. That means adding information that we are not aware before. For instance, if there is a sick person in our place then we can use this alternative medicine by applying what we learn from.
School. This study will help the clinic inside the school if in case they ran out of medicine. Knowing this research then they can use the tree that is readily available around the school vicinity as a temporary treatment using the method mention in this research. Teachers will also be able to share with the students this knowledge by including this to the lesson given in school.
Community Leaders. In the community some of the people are having hard time looking for cheap medicine for their health issue. Community leaders armed with the knowledge of this research, will be able to teach the community how to use the available tree that can be useful and a good source of alternative medicine as treatment or as a supplement that is easy for them to obtain and affordable.

Definition of Terms
Antibacterial properties. This means any chemical or materials that stop or slow down the multiplication or spreading of microorganism. This can come from in the form of medicine or herbal plants.
Antibiotics. This refers to any medicine that is taken to effectively treat certain diseases.
Contagious diseases. This refers to an infectious disease that can be easily infecting other person through air or by contact.
Drug resistant bacteria. Microorganism that survive even when exposed to any antibiotic.
Antioxidant. Refers to any substance or chemicals that help release toxins
Inflammatory. Any substance that causes swelling of tissues.
Alternative medicine. Refers to the use of plants or plant extract for treating any disease.
Pharmacological use. Compounds use as a medicine.
Nutritional value. The amount of nutrients found in food substance.
Phytochemicals. Refers to any chemicals that fight diseases.
Microbiologists. Person that specializes in the study of microorganisms.
Antigenotoxic. Chemical agent that destroys human genes.