PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF GONGRONEMALATIFOLIUM (UTAZI) LEAVES

Abstract

The leaves of Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) plant were examined for their Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties. The Phytochemical Screening was carried out using standard procedures on ethanol extract of the leaves sample. The leaves of the plant sample showed the presence of the following phytochemicals such as Alkaloids (2.55 1.47), Flavonoids (2.63 0.46), Saponins (3.60 0.092), Tannins (2.84 0.032), Phenols (1.49 0.04), Oxalate (0.076 mg/100), Terpenoids (0.28 0.078 mg/l) and Cardiac glycosides (0.02 0.00), Phytate (1.44 0.019). Moreover, the plants extract was screened for their antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albican, and Aspergillus niger. The results of the antimicrobial activities were observed as the gradient increased. Escherichia coli (22 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (25 mm) showed the highest susceptibility to the plants extracts at 250 mg. The plants extract showed an antifungal activity against Candidaalbican and Aspergillus niger had (10 mm) at the 250 mg. The Lowest Minimum Concentration (MIC) was observed in the extract against Staphylococcus aureus at 50 mg/ml while the highest MIC was recorded in the extract against Aspergillus niger at 200 mg/ml. These investigation shows that the Gongronema latifolium leaves extract contain bioactive constituents such as Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Terpenoids, Phenol, etc. which may account for the antimicrobial activities recorded and its pharmaceutical constituents.