PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND ANTI–BACTERIAL ACTIVITY STUDIES OF THE LEAF OF LUFFA AEGYPTIACA MILL (CUCURBITACEAE)

Authors

  • U.A. HANWA Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • M.A. TANIMU Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • M.Y. YAKUBU Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Z.B. ABDULLAHI, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • I.M. AUWAL Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Keywords:

Agar-well diffusion method, Antibacterial, Cucurbitaceae, Luff aegyptiaca, Phytochemical

Abstract

In this study the leaf Luff aegyptiaca was investigated for phytochemical and antibacterial properties. The
phytochemical screening was quantified using standard procedure while the extract was tested against four bacterial
(Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) for their antibacteria
property using agar diffusion method. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed positive test for tannins,
flavonoids, saponins and glycosides. The result of the antibacterial activity of the leaf extract showed a high activity
against bacteria with a zone of inhibition of 21 mm; 19 mm and 13 mm for S. aureus, B. cereus and P. aeruginosa
respectively, while E. coli was not affected by the extract. This study showed scientific basis for the use of this plant
as a traditional medicine and can therefore be used to source for new antibacterial substances for the treatment of
various enteric infections.

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Published

2022-12-22

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Articles