Full Length Research Paper

Abstract

The crude ethanolic extract of Commiphora africana root was partitioned with n-hexane, chloroform; water and 10% aqueous methanol and screened for chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity. The n-hexane fraction, which was the most bio-active was chromatographed on a column silica gel to give a number of purified components. The components from the n-hexane were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. S. aureus (ATCC 13709) was susceptible to fractions C₁ - ₁₁ giving zonal inhibition of between 1 - 3 mm.  Standard antibiotics - amoxillin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline were compared with the extracts in antimicrobial activity.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, Commiphora africana, phytochemical activity, root extracts.