Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3835

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of Buchholzia coriacea and Psychotria microphylla leaf extracts on bacterial pathogens isolated from aquatic environments in Nigeria

Ude I. U.
  • Ude I. U.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, P. M. B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Moses I. B.
  • Moses I. B.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, P. M. B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Okoronkwo C.
  • Okoronkwo C.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, P. M. B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Ovia K.
  • Ovia K.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Okafor C.
  • Okafor C.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Chukwunwejim C. R.
  • Chukwunwejim C. R.
  • Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
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Okata-Nwali O. D.
  • Okata-Nwali O. D.
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, Alex-Ekwuene Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
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Iroha C. S.
  • Iroha C. S.
  • Department of Pharmacy, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki , Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
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Akuma S.
  • Akuma S.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, P. M. B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Peter I. U.
  • Peter I. U.
  • Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Technology and Engineering, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
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Uzoeto H. O.
  • Uzoeto H. O.
  • Department of Dental Therapy, Federal college of dental Technology and Therapy, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
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Ngwu J. N.
  • Ngwu J. N.
  • Department of Dental Therapy, Federal college of dental Technology and Therapy, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
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Onuorah A. L.
  • Onuorah A. L.
  • Applied Sciences Department, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, Nigeria.
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John-Onwe B. N.
  • John-Onwe B. N.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, P. M. B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Iroha I. R.
  • Iroha I. R.
  • Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, P. M. B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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  •  Received: 10 October 2020
  •  Accepted: 25 November 2020
  •  Published: 30 June 2021

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants as alternative therapy for the treatment of microbial infections is significant in the maintenance of good health, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Buchholzia coriacea and Psychotria microphylla leaf extracts on bacteria isolated from aquatic environments in Nigeria. Exactly 736 water samples from boreholes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wells respectively were collected for this study. Antimicrobial activity of B. coriacea and P. microphylla leaf extracts were determined using standard microbiological techniques. Phytochemical and chemical constituents of the herbal extracts were determined using standard analytical techniques. Bacteria isolated from the water samples were Aeromonas hydrophila (n = 103), Escherichia coli (n = 118), and Vibrio cholerae (n = 87). extracts of B. coriacea and P. microphylla showed appreciable antibacterial activities. B. coriacea and P. microphylla leaf extracts showed the presence of minerals, alkaloids, protein, terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, tannins, and vitamins. Plant extracts used in this study exhibited an amazing antibacterial activity against bacterial isolates from the water bodies. Thus, B. coriacea and P. microphylla plants should be further explored to determine the active component(s) responsible for their antibacterial activity.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, B. coriacea, P. microphylla, leaf extracts, bacteria, aquatic environments, phytochemical composition.