Abstract
The antibacterial activity of the stem bark of Detarium microcarpum was investigated with the aim of isolating the most active ingredient. Extraction solvents used to prepare the crude extracts of the stem bark were, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, methanol. Test bacteria included Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibro cholerae. The extracts demonstrated a wide range of antibacterial activity on the microorganisms, with the ethyl acetate crude extract being the most active. Using liquid vacuum chromatography over silica gel, the extract was eluted with n- hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol and fifty- five fractions labeled Gl - G55 were obtained. Further antibacterial assays of the fractions led to the identification of fraction G34 as the most active fraction. This fraction was subjected to spectroscopic analysis using NMR, [(1H -1H NMR, 13C-NMR) and 2D-NMR (COSY and HMBC)]. The results showed good agreement with reported data on Copalic acid, a diterpene with chemical formula C O H O . This compound is 2 34 2 the most active ingredients of this plant and is likely to be responsible for its antibacterial activities.
Highlights
IntroductionHuman society has had from its beginning a strong dependence on plants and its products, for their health care needs and for various other purposes
Human society has had from its beginning a strong dependence on plants and its products, for their health care needs and for various other purposes.This almost total dependence continued until the introduction of chemotherapeutic agents, powerful chemical preparations that offered almost immediate and direct cure to ailments, and easy to carry about
A preliminary examination of the 1H and 13C NMR spectrum of fraction G34 suggest that the compound could be a diterpene
Summary
Human society has had from its beginning a strong dependence on plants and its products, for their health care needs and for various other purposes. This almost total dependence continued until the introduction of chemotherapeutic agents, powerful chemical preparations that offered almost immediate and direct cure to ailments, and easy to carry about. With these agents the dependence on herbal medicines waned. Researchers are focusing on plants as the main source of health care or a compulsory alternative (VanWhyk, 2002; and Teklehaymano, et al 2007). Recent study on chemical diversity of plants reveals the presence in them of powerful healing agents' the-phytochemicals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
