ANTIBACTERIAL AND LARVICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF CRUDE PHYTOCHEMICALS EXTRACTED FROM SOLENOSTEMON MONOSTACHYUS

Abstract

The antibacterial and larvicidal activities of crude phytochemicals extracted from Solenostemon monostachyus were investigated. The phytochemicals were extracted in the laboratory using solvent extraction methods. The agar- well diffusion method was used for the antibacterial analysis. The larvicidal activity was determined by subjecting the Anopheles gambiae to different extracted phytochemicals (alkaloid, saponin, tannin, phenolics and essential oils) at the same concentration, using in vitro method at room temperature for 72hours exposure. The results showed that, the phytochemicals were active against the tested organisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The diameter zones of inhibition of alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, tannins and essential oils were 10.30, 8.37, 10.40, 7.17, and 6.73mm against S. aureus; 12.40, 9.73, 9.37, 8.13 and 7.47mm against E.coli and 11.27, 9.12, 8.90, 7.53 and 8.10mm against P. aeruginosa. The percentage mortalities against A. gambiae were 40, 75, 30, 55 and 65%. Comparative evaluation of the phytochemicals showed that alkaloids exhibited the highest activity against the tested bacteria while saponins exhibited the highest cidal activity against A.gambiae larvae. Hence, these phytochemicals were responsible for antibacterial and larvicidal activities of the study plant.

Author

Chukwura, E. I. and 2Iheukwumere, I. 1Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka and 2Microbiology Department, Anambra State University, Uli