Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of the Aerial Part of Three Selected Plants

Abstract

We investigate the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of the aerial parts of Annona senegalensis, Petiveria alliacea and Secamone afzelii that have been used as folk medicines. The methanolic extracts were tested on various microorganisms for the antibacterial and antifungal activity using agar well diffusion and poisoned food technique respectively. The length of the inhibition zone was measured in millimetres from the edge of the well to the edge of the inhibition zone. The extracts were assessed in an effort to validate the potential activity of the plants against microbes. The result showed the extracts possess considerable antimicrobial potentials. The phytochemical screening of the plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and anthraquiones. The phytochemicals attributed to the antimicrobials activity of the plants extracts

Keywords:  antibacterial, antifungal, Annona senegalensis, Petiveria alliacea, Secamone afzelii