Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts of <i>Mucuna pruriens</i>

Abstract

The aim of this study is to carry out phytochemical screening of the methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate leaf extracts of the plant Mucuna pruriens and to evaluate their antimicrobial activities. The crude extracts were tested on three bacterial species; Klebsiella aerogenes, E coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two fungal isolates – Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The results revealed the presence for steroids, terpenes, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids in the extracts. Almost all the extracts inhibited Klebsiella aerogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The implication is that these extracts can be used to cure diseases associated with the tested organisms. Methanol extract did not inhibit growth of Aspergillus niger but demonstrated high activity against Candida albicans. The result implies that the plant can actually be used to cure diseases associated those organisms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.

Keywords: Phytochemical screening, Mucuna pruriens, antimicrobial studies, leaf extracts

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 16 No.4 (2019)