Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of methanolic leaf extract of <i>Ricinus communis</i> L. on some pathogenic microorganisms

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is gradually becoming a ravaging global problem; as such, there is a quest for new antimicrobial agents. These agents can largely be extracted from medicinal plants with various amounts of phytochemicals. This research investigated the phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of methanolic leaf extract of Ricinus communis on some pathogenic microorganisms. The test organisms include five bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi; and two fungal strains: Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Antimicrobial activity was tested using Agar Well Diffusion method. Results showed that the extract has antimicrobial activity due to the presence of the phytochemicals.