ENHANCEMENT OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL POTENCIES OF AMPICILLIN BY SCHIFF BASE FORMATION AND COMPLEXING WITH METAL (II)-IONS OF CHROMIUM, IRON AND ZINC

Abstract

The Schiff base of ampicillin with salicylaldehyde was synthesized according to standard established procedures. The synthesized Schiff base and its corresponding Metal(II)-ions of Chromium, Iron and Zinc were characterized using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), Ultra-Violet Spectroscopy, Molar conductivity, melting point and Solubility in: distilled water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform, Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and Petroleum ether respectively. The FTIR result confirmed the formation of the Schiff base with an azomethine group (C=N) absorption band at 1633.71cm-1. The synthesized Schiff base and its metal complexes were found to be soluble in DMSO and the molar conductivity result was found to be low in all the complexes which indicates their non-electrolytic nature. The in-vitro antibacterial activity test of Schiff base and its Metal complexes on gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyrogen) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi) showed an enhanced antibacterial activity than that of the control (Ampicillin) with a zone of inhibition ranging from 17-28mm at a concentration of 100mg/ml. The control (Ampicillin) showed inhibition zones ranges of 18-25mm on S. aureus, S. pyrogen, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. This study therefore substantiates the use of Schiff base in improving the efficacy level of antibiotic drugs to which resistant has been developed.