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Full Length Research Paper
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Phytochemical
screening and antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic and
methanolic extracts of the leaf and bark of Khaya
senegalensis
Makut, M. D.*, Gyar, S. D., Pennap, G.
R. I. and Anthony, P.
Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, P.M.B. 1022, Keffi, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
makmakwin@yahoo.com.
Accepted 13 August, 2007 |
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Abstract |
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Khaya senegalensis, a member of the family Meliaceae, is
a plant commonly used by the local people of Nasarawa State
of Nigeria for the treatment of dysentery, mucous diarrhoea
and wound infections. The leaves and the bark of the plant
were screened for their phytochemical properties and
antimicrobial activity. Ethanol was used for the extraction
of the active compounds. The test organisms were
Staphylococcus aureus, Steptococcus faecalis, Escherichia
coli and Candida albicans. Results of the
phytochemical screening showed that saponins, tannins,
alkaloids, glycosides, steriods, terpenoids and flavonoids
were the active compounds present in the leaves and bark of
the plant. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that
S. aureus, S. feacalis and C. albicans were
susceptible to both the leaf and bark extracts, while E.
coli was not. The extracts were also found to be
bactericidal to S. aureus and S. feacalis, and
fungicidal to C. albicans. This study demonstrates
the potentials of K. senegalensis as a source of
antimicrobials that could be harness for use in the Health
Care Delivery process.
Key words:
Khaya senegalensis, antimicrobial activity,
phytochemical. |
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