Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF LUFFA CYLINDRICA ON CERTAIN PATHOGENIC MICROBES.

Ezea Charity Chinasa*, Emerenini Ifunanya Lyndar, Anowi Fredrick Chinedu, Ifebi Hope Morris, Ugwu Patience Ngozi, Inya-Agha Stella Ifeoma and Inya-Agha Somtochukwu Obiahu

Abstract

The attention of the pharmaceutical scientists has been drawn to studies on the potential antimicrobial activities of plant derived substances, an untapped source of antimicrobials which are used in traditional medicine in different settings. This led to the study of the phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of the methanol leaf extract of Luffa cylindrica on certain pathogenic microbes: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, which were isolated from the laboratory benches and toilet handles of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The percentage Ash value was determined to be 2.3%. Microscopic evaluation of the plant showed specific cellular structures like the parenchyma, oxalate crystals, epidermal hairs and stomata. S. aureus, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans were susceptible to the methanol leaf extract of L. cylindrica, with the exception of E. coli and A. niger which were resistant to the methanol extract. The phytochemical compounds present are Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Saponins, Anthraquinone, Terpenoids, Steroids. Overall, among the pathogenic microbes used, E. coli and A. niger were resistant to the effect of the leaf extract of Luffa cylindrica.

Keywords: Luffa cylindrica; Phytochemical constituents; Pathogenic microbes.