Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities of Cola hispida (Brenan), Cola nitida (Vent) Schott &Endl., Anacardium occidentale (Linn) and Mangifera indica (Linn).

Abstract

The anti-microbial activities and phytochemical screening of the leaves of Anacardium occidentale, Cola hispida, Cola nitida and Mangifera indica were carried out. The four plant species were found to contain alkaloid, saponin, tannins, flavonoid and phenols in varying proportion. The concentration of the phytochemicals are as follows; alkaloid (0.67 -1.42%), saponins (0.31 - 0.55%), tannins (0.74 -0.91%), flavonoid (0.32 - 0.51%), and phenols (0.63 - 1.02%).The plants contained more alkaloid than other phytochemicals and had less flavonoids than other phytochemicals. The anti-microbial activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of the plants were tested against four microorganisms; Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Bacillus subtilis. The susceptibility of the microorganisms was determined using disk in agar diffusion method. The leaf extracts of these plants inhibited the growth of these pathogens. The degrees of inhibition of the growth of these microorganisms were found to be dependent on the concentration of the plants extracts.