Abstract

ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS

*Saidu, A.N., Alejolowo, O.O. and Kuta, F.A

ABSTRACT

Three medicinal plants namely: Allium sativum, Allium cepa and Musa sapientum were screened for phytochemical constituents and the antibacterial activity of the aqueous extracts were also investigated. The results obtained indicated that saponin was present only in Musa sapientum. All the three plants were found to contain flavonoids and tannins while alkaloids, resins and balsams were absent in all. Aqueous extract of the plants at 200mg/ml were found to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli but at varying levels. Allium sativum produced the highest zones of inhibition while Musa sapientum exhibited the least zones of inhibition. Generally, S. aureus is the most susceptible to the three plant extracts while P. aeruoginosa was the most resistant when subjected to the plant extracts. In this study, the presence of phytochemicals and the inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract on the organisms suggest that there is scientific evidence for the local use of these plants as medicinal remedies and particularly as antibacterial agents.

Keywords: Phytochemical, medicinal, extracts,Antibacterial