Abstract

The antimicrobial activities of the aqueous and ethanoic extracts of the stem of Olax subscorpioidea were evaluated. The ethanoic extract showed considerable activity on both the fungi and bacteria with zones of inhibition ranging from 7.2 mm to 21.5 mm, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5 to 45 mg/ml, while the aqueous extract was only active against three of the test organisms used. Phytochemical test reveals the presence of alkaloids, steroids, and flavonoids together with other active ingredients in the ethanoic extract with the exception of saponins which is present in the aqueous extract alone.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, bacteria, fungi, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, saponins.