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Evaluation of the anti microbial properties of themethanol extract of Mitracarpus scarber leave
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of Mitracarpus scarber, a species used in folk medicine by West Africa native people was
investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coil, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Nesseria gonorrhea, Candida
albican, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The extract possesses both antibacterial and antimycotic activities. The extract showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the macroscopic growth of susceptible organisms except Klebsiella pneumonia which is resistant. The phytochemical analysis carried out prior to the antimicrobial screening showed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, Gallic acid, steroids, protein and reducing sugar in the extract of Mitracarpus scaber leaf. The result of antimicrobial properties showed that the methanol extract of Mitracarpus scaber leaves exhibit broad spectrum activity to both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria; it therefore, could be used in treatment of diarrhea, dental infections, wound sepsis and dysentery. There is also need for proper exploitation, standardization and refining of the plant for both diagnostic
and therapeutic purposes.
investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coil, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Nesseria gonorrhea, Candida
albican, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The extract possesses both antibacterial and antimycotic activities. The extract showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the macroscopic growth of susceptible organisms except Klebsiella pneumonia which is resistant. The phytochemical analysis carried out prior to the antimicrobial screening showed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, Gallic acid, steroids, protein and reducing sugar in the extract of Mitracarpus scaber leaf. The result of antimicrobial properties showed that the methanol extract of Mitracarpus scaber leaves exhibit broad spectrum activity to both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria; it therefore, could be used in treatment of diarrhea, dental infections, wound sepsis and dysentery. There is also need for proper exploitation, standardization and refining of the plant for both diagnostic
and therapeutic purposes.
