Proximate Composition, Phytonutrient Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of the Young and Mature Leaves of Greenwayodendron suaveolens

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity, proximate composition and phytonutrient contents of the ethanolic extracts of the young and mature leaves of Greenwayodendron suaveolens were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. The moisture contents of the young and mature leaves were 9.9% and 11.882% respectively. The ash contents of the young and mature leaves were 6.142% and 6.418% respectively. The crude fiber content of the young and mature leaves was 5.550% and 5.080% respectively. The crude fat content of the young and mature leaves was 14.750% and 18.870% respectively. The crude protein content of the young and mature leaves was 1.338% and 1.025% respectively. The carbohydrate content of the young and mature leaves was 72.220% and 68.607% respectively. The phytonutrient analysis carried out indicated that percentage alkaloid was 24.43 and 11.45 in the young and mature leaf extracts respectively. Phenolic contents were 64.00 µg/mL and 51.00 µg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts respectively. Flavonoid content was 39.50 µg/mL and 13.75 µg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts at respectively. Saponin content at 1,147 µg/mL and 1,205 µg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts respectively. While tannin content was 65.00 mg/mL and 47.25 mg/mL in the young and mature leaf extracts at respectively. The ethanolic leaf extracts of Greenwayodendron suaveolens inhibited the growth of all the test organisms at the concentration of 25 mg/mL. However, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the young and mature leaf extracts against Bacillus subtilis and Trichodermaharzianum was 6.25 mg/mL while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the young leaf extract against Acinobactercalcoaceticus and Candida albican was also 6.25 mg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the young and mature leaf extracts against Aspergillus tamari and Aspergillus niger was 12.5 mg/mL. The antimicrobial results indicated that the ethanolic leaf extracts of Greenwayodendron suaveolens are active against bacteria and fungi and therefore can be utilized to remedy infections caused by the test organisms.