Phytochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Ethanolic Seed Extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum (African Star Apple)

Abstract

Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of ethanolic extract of the seeds of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) were investigated. The phytochemical result revealed the presence of saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, quinones, cardiac glycosides, fatty acids and terpenoids. The antibacterial activity was studied using agar well diffusion method at different concentrations against six pathogenic bacterial strains, three Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus varians and Bacillus cereus) and three Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris). Significant inhibitory activities were exhibited by the ethanolic seed extracts for all test organisms except Bacillus cereus. Zone of inhibition of the crude ethanolic extract was correlated with that of a standard antibiotic Gentamicin, for antibacterial activity. The results indicated a notable inhibition of the bacterial growth.