International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany ISSN 4536-1835 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 063-069, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of 50 medicinal plants from Nigeria
D. Kubmarawa1*, G. A. Ajoku2, N. M. Enwerem3 and D. A. Okorie4
1Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 2076, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development Abuja, Nigeria.
3Department of Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.
4Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dkubmarawa@yahoo.com
Accepted 18 February, 2015
Abstract
Ethanolic extracts of 50 plant species were screened for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The results indicated that of the 50 plant extracts, 28 plant extracts inhibited the growth of one or more test pathogens. Four plant extracts showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and essential oils.
Key words: Medicinal plant, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal.