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Antimicrobial alkaloid fraction from Commiphora africana (A. Rich)
Abstract
An alkaloid fraction was isolated from Commiphora africana (Myrrh) and assayed against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes using the agar diffusion method. The fraction exhibited antimicrobial activities against all the test microorganisms Bacillus subtilis was the most susceptible to the alkaloids followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosaM respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration ranged between 3.5mg/ml and 4.5mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged between 4.0mg/ml and 5.0mg/ml. The alkaloids fraction from Commiphora africana could be a potential source of chemotherapeutic agents.
Keywords: Commiphora Africana; Alkaloids; Antimicrobial activity
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 98-102