Elemental analysis and antimicrobial assay of aqueous leaf extract of <i>Celtis integrifolia</i> Lam.

Abstract

Elemental analysis and in vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia were investigated. Applying standard methods, the elemental constituents were examined while the antibacterial potentials of the aqueous leaf extract were tested on clinical bacterial isolates using paper disc diffusion method. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Calcium (Ca) 339.5 Mg/L, Sodium (Na) 149.1 Mg/L, Potassium (K) 997.2 Mg/L, Magnesium (Mg) 8.34 Mg/L, Cupper (Cu) 0.140Mg/L, Iron (Fe) 3.17 Mg/L, Zinc (Zn) 0.739 Mg/L and Manganese (Mn) 0.68 Mg/L. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, no lethal amount of toxic heavy metals lead and cadmium were found in the leaf extract. The antibacterial activity was tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Shigella dysenteriae. The results show zero inhibitory activity against the organisms at all the concentrations. It has been concluded that Celtis integrifolia contains physiologically important and essential elements like potassium, calcium, sodium and iron; The result showed that aqueous leaf extract of the plant possess no in vitro antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Aqueous leaf extract, Celtis integrifolia, Elemental analysis, Inhibitory activity