Abstract

The phytochemistry and antimicrobial potential of Corchorus olitorius leaf extracts on four bacterial isolates was investigated using both agar diffusion and tube dilution methods. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were tested againstEscherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. Extracts concentration of 500, 125, 125 and 62.5 mgml-1 were used while tetracycline was used as the standard drug. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of hydrocyanin, cardiac glycosides (+++) and tannins (+), flavonoids (++), anthraquinones (++) and saponins (++). Agar and tube dilution tests of both aqueous and methanolic extracts indicated that the extracts had antimicrobial activities against the four bacterial isolates, though the methanolic extracts had wider diameter of inhibition and activity indices than the aqueous extracts. Susceptibility increased with concentrations and highest susceptibility was observed against E. coli and other isolates at 500 mgml-1. The extracts exhibited the high antimicrobial activity (Activity Index, A.I with respect to the standard drug used). This could be adduced to the presence of phytochemical constituents and can be of prophylactic importance. Its highest potency against E.coli justifies its therapeutic use by traditional healers in South-Western Nigeria for gastroenteritis with good results.

Key words: Phytochemistry, activity index, antimicrobial activity, Escherichia coli,gastroenteritis