Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity ofAvocado pear (Perseaamericana Mill) leaf, bark and unripe fruit :- Nwaogwugwu, Chetachi P.

ABSTRACT

The phytochemical content and antimicrobial activities ofPersea americana plant parts as well as their combined forms were investigated in this study. The results obtained showed the presence of alkaloid, Saponin, flavonoid, tannin, phenol and steroid in all the plant parts screened. Quantitative phytochemical analysis carried out revealed that the leafhad the highest content of alkaloid, flavonoid, steroid, Saponin, tannin and phenol as against that found in the unripe fruit and bark. The commercial drugs ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole (control), recorded the highest zone ofinhibition as against that observed in all the plant parts extracts tested. At 2000 mg/ml avocado pear unripe fruit scored 22.67 mm to attain the highest mean zone ofinhibition for Candida albican, more than the other parts. The combination ofleaf, bark and unripe fruit extracts recorded 48.33 mm to attain the highest zone ofinhibition for Proteus mirabilis more than other parts compared. Whereas the bark recorded 37.67 mm to give the highest zone ofinhibition when compared with other parts against Staphylococcus aureus. The results also clearly revealed that at concentration of 125 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml none ofthe extracts inhibited the growth ofthe organism Candida albican, also some extracts at different concentrations did not inhibit any growth ofthe organisms Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. This implies that at higher concentrations, avocado pear plant parts I their combined parts can serve as a good antimicrobial agent in the treatment ofdiseases associated with the test organisms