Antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of aqueous extracts of Gladiolus corm (family Iridaceae) from Benue State of Nigeria
Abstract
The genus Gladiolus, embraces 260 species of a perennial herb belonging to the lily family: Iridaceae. In West Africa Gladiolus corm is used in food, and in ethnomedicines for treating gonorrhea and other infections. Often, the corm is used in combination with other plant materials, hence it is not known if the corm alone has antimicrobial effects. In this study aqueous extracts of the Gladiolus corms obtained in Benue State, Nigeria, were tested for their antimicrobial and phytochemicals properties. Antimicrobial effects were evaluated by measurement of inhibition zones using the bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes; and the fungi, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. The results showed that the extracts were active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger, but relatively inactive against the others; and contain alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and carbohydrate. Separation of the constituents by thin layer chromatography was attempted. The results confirm the basis for the traditional use of Gladiolus corm, and are discussed within the context of their economic and medical relevance. The presence of cardiac glycosides in corm calls for caution in its use. It also shows good prospects for its use as preservative for food and herbal medicines.Keywords: Gladiolus, Corm, Antimicrobial, Phytochemical
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources, Vol. 6 no. 2, pp. 65-70 (September 2009)
Issue
Section
Articles
Copyright of articles published shall reside exclusively with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos.
DECLARATION & COPYRIGHT TRANSFER
I/We the undersigned author(s) of article entitled
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Declare as follows:
- The manuscript submitted to Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources is original and has not been and will be published, whole or in part, in print or electronic format, in any other journal. It is also not being currently considered for publication in any journal.
- The submitted manuscript is a joint decision of all the coauthors.
- Each author has participated sufficiently in the work to warrant his or her inclusion in the list of authors. To this end, each author takes responsibility for appropriate portions of the manuscript.
- Authors have obtained necessary approval to carry out the experiments on animals and human subjects. Approval certificates will be furnished, if required by publishers or editors of the journal.
- Authors do not have any conflict of interest (financial or otherwise) other than those declared.
- If the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors transfer and assign copyright of the article referenced above to Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources.
Name & Signature of authors
1. 2.
- 4.
- 6.
- 8.
Corresponding authors name address, affiliation and email:
