Comparative Study of the Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Potential of the Methanol and Chloroform Extracts of the Root of Securidaca longipenduculata

Abstract

The phytochemical screening and antibacterial potential of the chloroform and methanol extracts of the root of securidaca longipenduculata were compared. The crude chloroform extract indicated the presence of tannin, Steroidal glycoside, alkaloid, terpenoid and phenol but absence of saponin and flavonoid while the crude methanol extract contained saponin, tannin, flavonoid, Steroidal glycoside, phenol but terpenoid was not present. These extracts were tested against four human pathogens. The crude methanol at a concentration of 100mg/mL was bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 30mm and 27mm respectively but bacteriastatic against Streptococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas areuginosa with IZD of 20 mm respectively while the crude chloroform extract at the same concentration was bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli with IZD of 30mm, 28 mm and 25mm respectively but bacteriastatic against Pseudomonas areuginosa  with IZD of 20mm. Ampiclox that was used as the control or standard drug showed IZD of 31mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 33mm for Escherichia coli, 30mm for Streptococcus faecalis and 25mm for Pseudomonas areuginosa at a concentration of 500mg/mL.