Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts of Acacia nilotica Against Selected Pathogens

Abstract

Traditional medicine systems plants are the major sources of substances used in managing and/or treating many diseases conditions. This study was aimed at screening the phytochemicals present in the seed and pod of Acacia nilotica using different solvents (n-hexane and methanol) and to determine the anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activity of the plants extracts using some selected pathogens. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins in both extract of Acacia nilotica seed while flavonoids was however only present in methanol extract, the results further revealed that Saponins was absent in all the seed extracts. For the pod extract, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and glycosides were present while alkaloid was absent in all the extracts. In vitro antioxidant studies shows both seed and pod extracts to possess strong antioxidant activity as they compare favorably with standard antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid). Anti-microbial studies shows the extract to be very effective against S. aureus P. aeruginosa, S. pyogenes, S. typhi and C. albica pathogens. Thus this study demonstrated Acacia nilotica seed and pods to possess strong anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties which might be as a result of presence of some bioactive compounds. Keywords: Acacia nilotica; Anti-oxidant; Anti-microbial; Phytochemicals; Pods and Seeds. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-16-03 Publication date: August 31 st 2022