PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF THE ETHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN. (EUPHORBIACEAE)

Abstract

This study covers the phytochemical and antimicrobial analysis of the ethanol stem bark extract of Jatropha curcas Linn. The results obtained indicates the presence of some secondary metabolites; saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, flavonoids and terpenoids. The extract also exhibited antimicrobial activities which were dose-dependent with zones of inhibition ranging from 10-15mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 11-17mm for E. coli, 10-18mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 14-26mm for Candida albicans. The MIC of the extract on the clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia) was 25mg/ml, 25mg/ml and 50mg/ml, respectively. While the MBC of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 50mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml, respectively. The results obtained indicate that ethanol stem bark extract of Jatropha curcas has antibacterial and antifungal activity which can be attributed to the presence of some of the essential secondary metabolites.