Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity on Stem Bark Extracts of Ceiba Pentandra

Abstract

A study was made to investigate the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of flowers of six different traditional plants: Thevetia Peruvian (Yellow deader). Antigonon leptopus (Coral vine), Callistephus chinensis (China aster), Ipomoeda horsfalliae (Cardinal creeper) Ipomoea carnea (Bush morning glory), Barleria prionitis (Porcupine flower). The chemical parameters carried out were indentification of crude fibers, protein starch, carbohydrates and titrable acidity. The physical parameters determined were total ash, acid soluble ash. acid insoluble ash and water and methanol extractives. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using methanol extract and it was performed by Nutrient Agar method. The result of this work suggested that the flower extracts of Thevetia peruviana, Barleria prionitis and Antigonon leptopus has potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus peritolis, Salmonella typhi which are gram positive and pathogenic. Therefore the results justify the use of the flower extract in treating these pathogenic strains and production of new antibiotics.