Assessment of the antimicrobial properties of fractions obtained from bryophytes

Abstract

Water, ethanol and acetone extracts were obtained from 10 selected bryophytes (seven mosses and three liverworts) viz: Radula flacida, Cyatodium africanum, Frullania spongiosa, Thuidium gratum, Ectropothecium aeruginosum, Sematophyllum caespitosum, Stereophyllum radiculosum, Babula lamberenensis, Campilopus aspericuspis and Calymperes erosum. A total of 24 fractions of various colors were obtained through a column chromatography. The antimicrobial efficacy of these fractions was assessed against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Penicillum notatum and Mucor rouxii. Fractions obtained from R. flacida suppressed the growth of C. albicans, S. aureus and M. rouxii. Cyatodium aficanum was also effective against M. rouxii. None of the fractions of these plants could antagonize the growth of P. notatum. The results obtained from this study indicate that effective antimicrobial compounds can be sourced from R. flacida and C. africanum.