Abstract

The antibiotic activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the root bark of two plants Alstonia boonei De wild and Morinda lucida locally used for treating different diseases especially fever were studied against seven bacteria. Crude extracts obtained from A. boonei were not potent against any of the bacterial tested. Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive organism to the ethanol root bark extracts of M.Iucida while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the least sensitive. Difference in antibacterial activity of these plants show that different bioactive components are present in each species. Preliminary phytochemical test of M. Iucida plant parts showed presence of saponins, anthraquinone, cardenolides, alkaloids but absence of tannins.

Key words: Antibacterial activity, preliminary phytochemistry, Morinda lucida, Alstonia boonei.