Phytochemical Evaluation and In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Methanolic-Aqua Extract of Indigofera arrecta Leaves against selected Pathogenic Microorganisms

Abstract

Background: The continued emergence of drug resistant microorganisms has always been a concern to scientists and pharmaceutical companies. Plants have shown great potential in the fight against this challenge, therefore creating the need for scientist to turn in to plants to get new antimicrobial agents.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to qualitatively analyze the phytochemical composition and the antibacterial activity of aqueous methanolic extracts of Indigofera arrecta leaves.

Methodology: The plant samples were extracted using methanol-water solvent system. The phytochemical analysis was done using standard procedures while the bioassay study was done using well diffusion method.

Results: The plant extract was found to contain all tested phytochemicals. The plant extract inhibited the growth of all the microorganisms tested. Bacillus cereus had the highest zone of inhibition while Escherichia coli was the least inhibited.

Discussion: The plant extract inhibited the growth of all the bacteria tested, suggesting the presence of antibacterial compounds in the extract. However further research needs to be done to isolate these active compounds and perform in vivo studies to investigate their mode of action, safety and dosage.

Key words: phytochemical, antibacterial, plant extract, Indigofera arrecta