Abstract

Root samples of Hydnora abyssinica were collected from Wad Medani city, central Sudan, to examine their antimicrobial potentials. Root extracts, aqueous, methanolic and chloroform, were obtained and bioassayed in vitro for ability to inhibit growth of 6 human pathogenic fungi and 4 types of bacteria, the differences in bioactivity of aqueous, CHCL₃ and MeOH extracts were analyzed. Despite extreme fluctuations in activity, the undiluted aqueous extract was the most inhibitory followed by methanolic extract, while the chloroform extract was the least effective. Growth of pathogens was inhibited by all extracts in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical analyses showed preponderance of condensed tannins and phenols in the plant root extracts. The results confirmed the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the roots and support the traditional use of the plant in healing bacterial infections, the possibility of therapeutic use of Sudanese H. abyssinica as antimicrobial agent is worthy of further investigations.

Key words: Hydnora abyssinica, medicinal plants, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, Sudan.