Phytochemical screening and antibacterial potential of the leaf extracts of Terminalia catappa.

Abstract

Terminalia catappa has been used traditionally in some African countries as shade tree and to a large extent in managing diverse medical ailments including infectious diseases. This study was designed to elucidate the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of the leaf extracts of the plant. The leaves were air dried, powdered and extracted using 95% ethanol and water. The extracts were then screened for preliminary phytochemical constituents and antibacterial susceptibility testing using cup plate method on nutrient agar. The extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and alkaloids. The antibacterial screening of the extracts against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species showed a dose dependent inhibitory activity. Gentamicin was used as positive control. The antibacterial activity of the extract with respect to different strains and positive control was significant which justifies its traditional use as an anti-bacterial agent.