Preliminary Phytochemical Studies and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Property of the Methanol Extract of the Roobark of Ritchiea Longipedicellata Gilg Family Capparidacaea

Abstract

Purpose: The root of Ritchiea longipedicellata was claimed to have antimicrobial properties. The people of Idemili area in Anambra State of Nigeria use the decoction of it to treat wounds, running stomach, aches and pains. It is because of this background that this investigation was carried out to ascertain the veracity of the claim.Methodology: The root of Ritchiea longipedicellata was collected and dried at ambient temperature. It was pulverized into powder. 500gm of the powdered drug was placed into a 2litre beaker containing 1litre of methanol. It was allowed to stand with occasional shaking for 48hrs. The content was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated using rotary evaporator. The extract contains the following secondary metabolites – alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides. Agar diffusion method was used to investigate antimicrobial activity.Result: The root of Ritchiea longipedicellata exhibited antimicrobial property.Conclusion: The claim of Idemili people of Anambra State Nigeria on the use of Ritchiea longipedicellata appears to be obvious in line with the results of the investigation