Preliminary phytochemical and antibacterial studies on ethanolic extract of the leaves of Acacia nilotica

Abstract

The ethanolic extract of the leaves Acacia nilotica was evaluated for antibacterial activity using disc diffusion method and also to test the presence of the plants. Photochemical screening result revealed the presence of these five plant constituents, namely Resin, Tannins, steroid-Glycoside, Saponin and Alkaloids. Determination of antibacterial activity of the extract was conducted with the following concentrations (1000 mg/ml, 2000 mg/ml, 5000 mg/ml & 10,000 mg/ml) were all tested against Salmonella typhi aIid Escherichia coli. The result showed activity of the extract on E - coli at all concentration of (2000, 5000, & 10,000 mg/ml) respectively, except of 1000 mg/ml, showed resistant. However, for S. typhi the extract showed activity with all the concentrations, forming the following zone of inhibition ((7,9,14 & 5)mm) respectively. The inhibitory effect of the ethanolic leaves extract on the growth of test organisms may be attributed to the presence of the four active constituents screened. The results validate the use of the plant part in ethonomedicine.