Abstract

The barks and leaves of Khaya senegalensis were screened for antimicrobial activity. Plant components were extracted using methanol and water. The methanol and the water extracts of - the barks and leaves were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. aureus. (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli ( ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterococcu faecalis (ATCC 7080), using diffusion method and results compared with standard antibiotics discs of Gentamycin and Ceftriaxone. The methanolic bark extract showed activity against E. coli at low concentration of 500g/ml with diameter zone of inhibition of 15±0mm. The same extract showed activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis at concentration of 2000µg/ml showing the zone of inhibition of 15.5±0.07mm, 9.5±0.7mm and 16±0mm, respectively. The leaves water extract showed weak activity against the organisms. The leaves water extract was active at concentration of 2000µg/ml. Higher concentrations of >2000µg/ml, were required to produce bactericidal activity on the test organisms. Phytochemical screening showed that tannins, alkaloids, saponnis, flavanoids and phenols were active compounds present in the methanolic bark and leaves extract of Khaya senegalensis. The leaves water extracts showed that tannins, alkaloids, saponnis and phenols were present but had no flavanoids. That may be the reason for its weak activity against test organisms. Methanolic bark and leaves extracts had highest inhibitory activity on the test organisms probably because they contain more compounds than the water, bark and leaves extracts. Bark and leaves extract of Khaya senegalensis may be useful for the treatment of some diseases whose causative agents are susceptible to its in-vitro antibacterial activity.