Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Potential of the Leaves Extracts of Momordica balsamina L.

Abstract

Microbial treatment methods are losing efficacy as pathogens rapidly gains resistance to antibiotics which is a global health threat that necessitates the development of novel therapeutics from plants with limited side effects. This study aim at investigating the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities of extracts from Momordica balsamina leaves to scientifically justify the use of this plant as remedy for treating certain ailments. The powdered leaves of Momordica balsamina were percolated with Ethanol then fractionated into n–Hexane, Chloroform and Methanol fractions which were tested against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus using the Agar well diffusion method, MIC and MBC were carried out using broth dilution method. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant extracts using standard method revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, saponins and tannins. The antimicrobial analysis results revealed some sensivity in a dose depending manner with highest zone of inhibition of 29±2mm, 27±3mm, 19±1mm and 15±2mm for ethanol extract against Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus respectively at 100mg/ml and 0.00mm zone of inhibition for n-Hexane and Chloroform fractions against Bacillus and Escherichia coli at 12.5mg/ml. This study has revealed that extracts of the leaves of Momordica balsamina contains some natural compounds that could be useful in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by these bacteria.