Abstract

UV SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND ANTIBACTERIAL ASSAY OF THE LEAF, STEM AND ROOT BARKS OF CHRYSOPHYLLUM ALBIDUM (SAPOTACEAE)

S. E. Ukwueze*, P. O. Agwu and K. M. Ezealisiji

ABSTRACT

Methanol extracts of the leaf, stem and root barks of Chrysophyllum albidum were analyzed for their total polyphenol contents, flavonoids concentration and in vitro antioxidant activity using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric analysis of the gallic acid equivalent (GAE), quercetin equivalent (QE), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction capability respectively, while the antibacterial activities were determined using standard procedures. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, anthraquinone, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates and phenolic acids in the extract of the various parts of C. albidum. The phenolic contents of the leaves, stem and root barks were 11.0, 14.1, 13.0 (% mg/g GAE) respectively while the total flavonoids content of the respective parts were; 96.8, 176.6, and 127.8 (mg/g QE) respectively. Consequently, the IC50 Of the leaf, root and stem barks were found to be 0.0675, 0.0385, and 0.0245 mg/ml respectively. The antibacterial assay showed that the root and stem samples had mild antibacterial activity while the leaf sample showed no inhibition. There was a positive correlation between the polyphenols contents and the in vitro antioxidant activity. These results suggest that different parts of C. albidum possess varying levels of polyphenols, antioxidant and antibacterial capacities. The study should therefore form the basis for the choice of the plant part to be utilized for specific pharmacological application.

Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum; Antibacterial; Antioxidant, UV Spectrophotometry.