In-vitro Anti-Microbial Studies and GC/MS Analysis of the Leaf Extract and Fractions of Polyalthia longifolia (Engl. & Diels) Verde

Abstract

Extensive studies show that secondary metabolites in plants, used for centuries in traditional medicine, offer new sources of drugs. In the traditional setting, extracts from various parts of the plant Polyalthia longifolia (mast tree) are used in treating several ailments but the components of these extracts, which would allow for meaningful dosage, are not known. We therefore decided to examine the antimicrobial activity by testing on selected microorganisms and identify the volatile components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the leaf extracts of Polyalthia longifolia (mast tree). The crude leaf extract and fractions derived from the crude exhibited anti-microbial activity against two (2) bacteria and two (2) fungi. The chloroform fraction was very active against Salmonella typhi (13.00±0.82) when compared to fractions in other solvents. The GC-MS analysis showed that the extracts were composed fatty acids and their ester along with some long chain aldehydes, like hexadecenal and tetradecenal, and Caryophyllene and Aromandendrene. These chemical constituents may be responsible for the pharmacological and therapeutic activities of this plant.