Phytochemical and Antibacterial Analysis of Ethanol Extract of Triclisa macrophylla Leaf

Abstract

Triclisia marcrophylla is a climbing plant used in Nsukka in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorder. This research was designed to study the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of T. macrophylla ethanol leaf extract. Cold maceration method was used to get the ethanol extract. Standard qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis methods were used for the phytochemical estimation. The antibacterial activity was determined using agar well diffusion method. The result of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, reducing sugar and saponins. The percentage yield of the estimated phytoconstituents gives 6% alkaloids, 1.2% flavonoids, 0.48% cardiac glycosides and 2% saponins respectively. The ethanol extract showed zone of inhibition ranging from 2 mm to 15.7 mm against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis while staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa where not inhibited at any concentration. The extract demonstrated highest activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterococcus faecalis. Conversely, the extract showed promising antibacterial activity and might be useful alternative in controlling disease caused by pathogenic organisms. The finding validated the folkloric claims of the plant use in treating infectious diseases.