Phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antifungal activity of Garuleum woodii Schinz. root extracts against human pathogenic microbes
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2012
Authors
Ashafa, A. O. T.
Umebese, C. E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
The antimicrobial potential of Garuleum woodii root extracts were investigated using 96 wells microplate and agar dilution methods, against selected human pathogenic bacteria and fungi strains. The qualitative phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and glycosides. The extracts exhibited varied degrees of inhibitions, but the water extract was the most potent against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria strains with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.09 to 3.13 mg/ml for all the bacteria, except Escherichia coli that was inhibited at 12.50 mg/ml. Similarly, the hexane, ethanol and acetone extracts suppressed the growth of Candida rugosa, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans as well as Trichophyton mucoides at MIC ranging from 0.50 to 1.00 mg/ml. The water extract also inhibited these fungi at 10.00 mg/ml. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of all the extracts was 5.00 to 10.00 mg/ml. The present study has shown that the root extracts of G. woodii possessed strong antimicrobial activity against these nosocomial human pathogens, which is an indication of its broad spectrum therapeutic potential. The water extract was the most potent against bacteria, while ethanol extract was effective against fungal infections; therefore, the use of infusion and decoction from the root is encouraged. The overall antimicrobial potency of this species makes it a candidate for antibiotic bioprospecting, particularly for South and southern Africa.
Description
Keywords
Garuleum woodii root extracts , nosocomial , pathogen , broad spectrum , antibiotic bioprospecting
Citation
26. Ashafa, A. O. T. and Umebese, C. 2012. Phytochemical screening , antibacterial and antifungal activity of Garuleum woodii Schinz. root extracts against pathogenic microbes. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 6:5513-5518