Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Chrysophyllum albidum Collected in Nsukka, South East Nigeria

Background: Chrysophyllum albidum is widely used by African people for the treatment of various types of diseases such as ear infection, sore throat, typhoid, cellulites, septicaemia, bactericemia, abscesses and tooth infections.

Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the chemical components and antibacterial activity of the extract and fractions from the root bark of Chrysophyllum albidum from Nsukka, South-east Nigeria.

Methodology: The fresh roots were collected, washed, cut into small pieces, air dried and pulverized to powder using mechanical grinder. Extraction and fractionation were done by cold maceration method and technique of liquid–liquid extraction respectively. The phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract and, n-hexane, butanol, aqueous and ethylacetate fractions of the plant part was carried out using standard method. The antibacterial activities were determined using cup-plate agar diffusion and agar dilution methods.

Results: The phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. The inhibition zone diameter (IZD) produced by the agents against some selected Gram positive bacteria (GPB) and Gram negative bacteria (GNB) pathogens ranged from 6 – 25 mm and 6 – 12 mm respectively. The MIC and MBC values produced by the extract and fractions of the plant’s part against the GPB ranged from 1.25 – 40 mg/ml and 5 – 80 mg/ml respectively Many of the GNB were not sensitive to the agents tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp that exhibited mild to moderate sensitivity to the agents.

Conclusion: These agents, therefore, exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against all the GPB and a few GNB pathogens tested due to their potent phytochemicals. The results of this work have corroborated the trado-medical use of root of Chrysophyllum albidum for treating ear infection, sore throat, typhoid, cellulites, septicaemia, bactericemia, boils and tooth infection/decay.