Phytochemical screening and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of <i>Albizia ferruginea</i> (Fabaceae) leaves extract

Abstract

Phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of Albizia ferruginea (Guill and Perr) which belongs to the family of Fabaceae were studied. Phytochemical studies on the plant leaves showed that they contained alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycoside and carbohydrate. Methanol extract of Albizia ferruginea showed growth inhibitory effects of varying degrees on S. feacalis, S. typhi, S. paratyphi, Shigella dysentriae and Klebsiella pneumonia but was not active on Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined for the organisms whose growths were inhibited. The extract had MIC of 3.25mg/ml for S. feacalis, S. paratyphi, S. dysentriae and K. pneumoniae respectively. The antimicrobial studies of the extracts really justify the numerous folkloric uses of the plant parts in the treatment of some common ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, fever, cough, pain and skin infections.