Antimicrobial and GC-MS Analyses of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Chrysophyllum albidum Fruits’ Mesocarps

Abstract

Emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria has rekindled interest in plant derived compounds as substitute for synthetically produced antimicrobial  agents. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of ethyl acetate extract of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit (cherry)  mesocarps. Crude extract obtained by maceration of the mesocarps in ethyl acetate was tested for antimicrobial activity against five bacterial isolates and  two fungi using agar-well diffusion method. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to determine the chemical constituents of  the extract. The extraction process gave a yield of 14.44%. Phytochemical constituents derived include steroids, glycosides, terprenoids, tannins,  phenolics and saponins. The extract inhibited the growth of all bacteria with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 19.50 - 13.00 mm, but showed no  activity against the fungal isolates, at test concentration of the extract. GC-MS identified thirty-three phytochemicals. Data from this study revealed the  possible antimicrobial potentials and chemical constituents of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit mesocarps.