Antimicrobial properties and chemical compositions of the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Rauvolfia vomitoria obtained from Agbarho Community of Delta State

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and chemical compositions of the petroleum ether extract of theaerial parts of Rauvolfia vomitoria. The aerial parts of the plant were air dried under shade, pounded using wooden mortar and pestle into coarse powder. The coarse powder was extracted in aSoxhlet extractor using petroleum ether. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant extract reveals the presence of phytochemicals such as Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Cardiac Glycosides and Steroids. The extract was investigated for in vitro antimicrobial activity against some organisms and their chemical constituents were also ascertained. The extract was bactericidal against the following organisms: salmonella Typhi, Candida krusei and candida albican at a zone of inhibition of 10 mm, 16 mm and 10 mm respectively andthe minimum inhibitory concentration studies showed that the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Rauvolfia vomitoria inhibited grow that a concentration above 100 mg/ml with the corresponding MBC above 100mg/ml.The percentage yield of the petroleum ether extract was 2.5%. The chemical compositions of the petroleum ether extract were established using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR )spectroscopy and Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).

Keywords: Rauvolfia vomitoria, phytochemicals, antibacterial, GC-MS, Delta State