ABSTRACT

Phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of ethanolic and water extract of Tetrapleuratetraptera were studied using agar diffusion. Four known human bacterial pathogens were used. They were Escherichia coli ,Staphylococcusaureus, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Also, phytochemical composition revealed the presence of tannin,0.36%:saponin,0.54%;flavonoid,0.84%;alkaloid,1.28%:phenol,0.42% and 9.86mg/kg of hydrocyanic acid (HCN).Both water and ethanol extracts showed strong antibacterial activity. The most susceptible bacteria were E.coli followed by S.aereus while the most resistant bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The water extract gave inhibition zone of diameters 20mm for E.coli, 15mm for S. aureus, 12mm P.areruginosa. For respectively,while ethanol extract gave 24mm for E.coli , 20mm for S.aureus and 15mm for P.areruginosaof the same test organisms. It was recorded that ethanolic extracts were more potent against the test organisms than the water extract. The established antibacterial activities were attributed to the presence of phytochemical and the continuous use of the test plant was highly recommended.The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the different extracts was determined as the least concentration that inhibited each test organism. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared by reconstituting different weights of the dry extract in 0.5ml sterile distilled water. Discs were incubated with the resulting extract and used for the sensitivity test. After incubation, the plates were examined. The least concentration to cause inhibition was recorded as the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC).

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page i

Approval Page ii

Declaration iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Contents vi

Abstract vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction 1

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review 4

2.1 The History Of Medicinal Plant Use 4

2.2 Drug Resistance By Human Pathogens 7

2.3 Bioactive Compounds In Medicinal Plants 9

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Collection And Identification 13

3.2 Sample Preparation 13

3.3 Collection Of Test Organisms 13

3.3.1 The Test Human Bacteria Pathogens 13

3.3.2 Preparation Of Media 14

3.4 Sensitivity Test 14

3.4.1 Preparation Of Antibacterial Sensitivity Discs 14

3.4.2 Test On Bacterial Sensitivity Extract 14

3.4.3 Determination Of Extract Yield 15

3.4.4 Reconstitution of Extract 15

3.4.5 Determination of Minimum Inhibition Concentration Of The Extract 16

3.5 Phytochemical Screening 16

3.5.1 Qualitative Analysis 16

3.5.2 Test for Tannins 16

3.5.3 Test for Saponins 17

3.5.4 Test for Flavonoid 17

3.5.5 Test for Cyanogenic Glycoside 17

3.5.6 Test for Alkaloid 18

3.5.7 Test for Steroids/Triterpens 18

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS 

4.1 Result 19

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 

5.1 Discussion 25

5.2 Conclusion 27

REFERENCE