Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activities and phytochemical properties of extracts of Tamaridus indica against some diseases causing bacteria

S. Y. Daniyan* and H. B. Muhammad

Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mrsdaniyan@yahoo.com.

Accepted 30 May, 2008

Crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of Tamaridus indica were investigated for antibacterial activity. The susceptibility of five clinical bacterial isolates against these two crude extracts was determined using the disk diffusion method. The ethanol extracts produce strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella paratyphi A and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to the extracts. The aqueous extracts have the least antibacterial activity compared to ethanol extract except against P. aeruginosa. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The antibacterial activity of the extracts against the test bacteria suggest that there is a scientific basis for their utilization in traditional medicine for the treatment of some bacterial infections as claimed by traditional medical practitioners.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, Tamarindus indica, crude extract.