PROFILING PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF HEXANE AND ACETONE CRUDE EXTRACTS OF Sterculia setigera LEAF

Abstract

Assessment of phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities of different solvent (hexane and acetone) extracts of the leaf of Sterculia setigera were carried out using standard methods. 200 g of the dried leaves was macerated using 400 mL of each solvent in increasing polarity for the extraction, with percentage yield of 7.87 and 8.74% for hexane and acetone respectively. Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, phenol, steroids and phlobatannins; glycosides were present in hexane extract only while saponins where present in acetone extract only. Using the diffusion method, both extracts showed visible inhibitory effect when compared to the positive control against Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE), Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella typhi, and Candida tropicalis except for Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis that were resistant. Although, both extracts exhibited antimicrobial activities, acetone extract showed slightly more activities than that of the hexane extract. This, therefore, offers scientific basis for the traditional use of plant Sterculia setigera for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, malaria, jaundice, measles, syphilis and leprosy.