4. Conclusion
The midribs of Elaeis guineensis fronds as a form of
agricultural waste have been physically and chemically
activated to produce AC. AC morphology was directly
dependent on the method of preparation. The surface area
varying from 0.232 cm3/g to 0.578 cm3/g for micro pore
volume and 0.795 cm3/g to 1.577 cm3/g for total pore volume
were obtained, with the pores which were mainly
microporous in the samples activated physically while
increased macroporosity was associated with chemical
activation. Synergistic interaction between metronidazole
and PB3 which had increased macroporosity enhanced bacterial
adsorption in the in vitro pharmacodynamic model
causing a significant reduction in the starting inocula of
Escherichia coli O157:H7. AC consisting of increased macroporosity
with mixed meso/microporosity and antibacterial
metronidazole form the best model for bacterial adsorption
and will be useful in the treatment of diarrhea caused
by Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
This Ph.D. research study was supported by The University
of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria which provided part funding
through the doctoral assistance grant, and The University
of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, which provided materials,
facilities, and the technical support required to carry
out this research.