Antibacterial activity of the ethanoic leaf extract of Bryophyullum pinnatum (Crassulaceae) on selected gram positive and negative bacteria

Abstract

Background: Bryophyullum pinnatum is a resurrection plant and a significant source of folkloric medicine. Besides being sweet in post digestive effect and hot potency its usefulness as antibacterial agent is yet to be explored.

Aim: We assessed the antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Bryophyullum pinnatum obtained from botanical garden of phaermacognosy department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University,Abraka.

Methods: Four different bacteria isolates; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes collected from the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology Department, Delta State University, Abraka were used for the study. The leaf samples of Bryophyullum pinnatum was exracted using cold maceration method with ethanol as solvent. The antibacterial activity was carried out by dilution technique.

Results: The extract exhibited antibacterial activity with zones of inhibition ranging from 6mm – 2mm. The zones of inhibition obtained for Streptococcus pyogene was 6mm – 3mm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5mm -2mm, Staphylococcus aureus 6mm – 4mm and Escherichia coli 6mm – 3.5mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanolic extract obtained for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurues was 7.81mg/ml each, Streptococcus pyogenes 15.63mg/ml and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3.90mg/ml.

Conclusion: The results further confirm the use of Bryophyullum pinnatum leaves for bacteria chemotherapy.

Keywords: Antibacterial, leaf extract, ethanol, Bryophyullum pinnatum