Phytochemical and in vitro anti-bacterial properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L (Roselle) juice

Abstract

The anti-bacterial properties of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa on five bacteria genera, namely, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae and Streptococcus mutans were evaluated using agar well and disc diffusion methods. Six bioactive compounds were identified from phytochemical analysis of the juice extract of H. sabdariffa. Analysis revealed the presence of the following in the water and ethanol extracts: saponins (1.46%), alkaloids (0.09%), tannins (0.19%), total phenols (0.07%), flavonoids (2.41%) and glycosides (0.13%). The results revealed that both water and ethanol extracts had significant anti-bacterial effects (P