Phytochemical Constituents, Thin Layer Chromatography and Antimicrobial Activity of Methanol Extract of the Stem and Leave of Citrus Limon (L)

Abstract

Citrus limon (L) leaf and stem used traditionally for the treatment of diseases and infections was phytochemically and antimicrobially screened. And also Thin layer Chromatography (TLC) was carried out on the crude methanol extracts. The phytoconstituents were qualitatively determined. The phytochemical screening of the crude methanol extract revealed the presence of saponins, terpenes, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, carbohydrates, anthraquinones, alkaloids, volatile oils and glycosides. The result of the antimicrobial screening of the crude methanol extract of the leaf showed potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans and bacillus subtillis. However, the crude methanol extract of the stem only showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus. TLC analysis of the of the crude methanol extract of the leaf showed three (3) spots while that of the stem revealed two (2) spots. Keywords: