Effects of column fractions on the leaves extract of <i>Bridelia ferruginea</i> on bacteria

Abstract

Bridelia ferruginea is extensively used in Nigeria traditional and folk medicines to cure various human ailments. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant parts revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The in vitro antibacterial studies were carried out on both crude extracts and fractions obtained after column chromatography against medically important bacterial strains including; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for different concentrations of 30mg/ml, 60mg/ml, 90mg/ml, and 120mg/ml. The results of antibacterial assay revealed that both crude extracts and fractions showed good inhibitory activity against all the tested bacteria compared with standard antibiotics. The active fractions gave four spots on the Thin Layer Chromatogram. The detection of other metabolites coupled with antibacterial activities of the plant calls for further work on the plant and its active compound towards development of new drugs for the benefit of humanity.

Keywords: Bridelia ferruginea, phytochemical, crude extract, antimicrobial activity, zone of
inhibition