Journal of
Microbiology and Antimicrobials

  • Abbreviation: J. Microbiol. Antimicrob.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2308
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMA
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 166

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of antibacterial effects and phytochemical screening of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Hibiscus diversifolius

Oduor M. Aduol*
  • Oduor M. Aduol*
  • Department of Zoology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000- 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Google Scholar
Kenneth O. Ogila
  • Kenneth O. Ogila
  • Department of Zoology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000- 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Google Scholar
Kamau John
  • Kamau John
  • Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000- 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 22 February 2014
  •  Accepted: 09 July 2014
  •  Published: 31 July 2014

Abstract

Hibiscus diversifolius which is widely distributed in Kenya was investigated for its antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The leaves stem and root of the plant was extracted using aqueous and methanol as solvents. Phytochemical screening was also carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents present in the various parts of the plants used. The results show that both aqueous and methanolic extracts of the different plant parts had antibacterial activity against the various microbes tested. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, saponins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides while tannins and steroids were lacking in all the extracts.

 

Key words: Antibacterial, phytochemicals, aqueous, methanol and extracts.