Antibacterial Screening Of Alchornealaxiflora And Ficusexasperata Extracts Against Bacterial Pathogens

ABSTRACT

The antibacterial activities of ethanol extracts of the leaves of Ficusexasperata and Alchornealaxiflora were investigated against four bacterial pathogens using the agar dilution method. The extracts were obtained by maceration of powdered dry leaves in ethanol for 24h. The four bacterial pathogens used were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Entreococcusfaecalis ATCC 7080 and Salmonella typhi. The study showed that ethanol extract of the leaves of Ficusexasperatainhibited the growth of S. aureus, E. coli and E. faecalis at concentrations of 10,000mg/ml and 5,000mg/ml. the extracts of Alchornealaxiflora had antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus atconcentrations of 10,000mg/ml. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of FicusexasperataaginstE. faecalis were 5,000µg/ml and 10,000µg/ml, respectively. The MIC and MBC values against E. coli were 3,000µg/ml and 4,000µg/ml respectively. The extracts of Alchornealaxiflora were less active, with MIC and MBC values against E. faecalis were 6,000µg/ml and 10,000µg/ml,respectively. The qualitative phytochemical Screening showed the presence of Terpenoids, Flavonoids andsaponins in Ficusexasperata and the presence of Flavonoids, Saponins and Tannis in Alchornealaxiflora. The work has shown that the ethanol extract of these medicinal plants possess antibacterial activity which could be due to the phytochemicals present in the leaves. These findings support the use of these medicinal plants in traditional medical practice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page ﾿ i

Certification ﾿ ii

Dedication ﾿ iii

Acknowledgements ﾿ iv

Table of Contents ﾿ v

List of Tables ﾿ ix

Abstract ﾿ x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION ﾿ 1

1.1 Aims and Objectives ﾿ 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.1 Medicinal Plants ﾿ 4

2.2 Phytochemicals ﾿ 4

2.2.1Alkaloids ﾿ 5

2.2.2 Phenols ﾿ 6

2.2.3 Tannins ﾿ 6

2.3 Medicinal use of Alchornealaxiflora ﾿ 6

2.4Hepatoprotective activity and flavonoids of Alchornealaxifloraleaf extract ﾿ 7

2.5 Ficusexasperata ﾿ 10 ﾿

2.5.1 Traditional uses of Ficusexasperata ﾿ 11

2.5.2 Medicinal uses of ficusexasperata ﾿ 11

CHAPTER THREE:MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Collection of Plant Materials ﾿ 14

3.2 Preparation of the Leaf Extract ﾿ 14

3.3 Ethanol Extract Preparation ﾿ 14

3.4 MEDIA ﾿ 14

3.4.1 Media Used ﾿ 14

3.4.2 Preparation of Media ﾿ 15

3.4.3 Preparation of Stock Solution of Extract ﾿ 15

3.5 Agar Solution Susceptibility Testing ﾿ 15

3.6 Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ﾿ 17

3.7 Phytochemical Screening ﾿ 18

3.7.1 Test for Tannis ﾿ 18

3.7.2 Test for Saponin ﾿ 18

3.7.3 Test for Flavonoid ﾿ 18

3.7.4 Test for Terpenoids ﾿ 18

CHAPTER FOUR:RESULTS ﾿ 19

CHAPTER FIVE:DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Discussion ﾿ 24

5.2 Conclusion ﾿ 25

5.3 Recommendation ﾿ 25

REFERENCE