Microwave assisted extraction, phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation of ethyl acetate extracts of stem bark of Ficus exasperata (Vahl)

N.O Ugbenyo,L.O Habib,S Abdulsalam,J.N Anyam,M.K Yahaya

doi:10.4314/jasem.v25i9.4

Abstract

Stem bark of Ficus exasperata was extracted using ethyl acetate by microwave-assisted solvent extraction. Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial evaluation were carried out on the extract. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes and steroids. Antimicrobial evaluation revealed that the extract is active against Methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella dysenteriae, Candida stellatoidea and Candida tropicalis. The zones of inhibition (mm) for the test organisms were (24 - 31) mm. Minimum inhibition concentrations (mg/L) of extract against MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella dysenteriae, Candida stellatoidea and Candida tropicalis were 2.5, 1.25,1.25, 2.5, 1.25, 1.25, 1.25 and 2.5 respectively. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (mg/L) of extract against Methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis Shigella dysenteriae Candida stellatoidea and Candida tropicalis were 5, 2.5, 2.5, 5, 5, 2.5,2.5 and 5 respectively. The extract showed high inhibition against MRSA and Candida tropicalis.

Highlights

Stem bark of Ficus exasperata was extracted using ethyl acetate by microwave-assisted solvent extraction
Test organisms: The bacteria used viz Methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella dysenteriae and Proteus vulgaris; and the fungi Candida stellatoidea, Candida tropicalis, and Candida pseudotropicalis were obtained from the Department of Medical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria.: Antimicrobial Screening: Mueller Hinton Agar was the medium used as growth medium for the bacterial and Sabouraud Dextrose agar was used for fungi
The extracts were found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella dysenteriae, Candida stellatoidea, and Candida tropicalis in antimicrobial sensitivity

Summary

Introduction

Stem bark of Ficus exasperata was extracted using ethyl acetate by microwave-assisted solvent extraction. As a route in discovering antibacterial resistant drugs, microwave assisted extraction of stem bark of Ficus exasperata led to phytochemical screening and antimicrobial evaluation on the crude extracts. Phytochemical Screening: Phytochemical screening was carried out to test for presence of the following secondary metabolites: carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoid using methods described by Muktar et al (2018), Idris et al (2019) and Anyam, (2011).

Results

Conclusion