Evaluation of Phytochemical and Antibacterial Activity of Sclerocarya birrea Stem Bark Extraction

Abstract

The study was aimed to evaluate phytochemical and antimicrobial activities of Sclerocarya birrea (humaid) stem bark extract. The extractions were carried out using decoction method and were subjected to phytochemical screening and antimicrobial test. The extract showed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Sterol, Triterpene, Glycoside and absence of Saponin and Phenol. An antimicrobial study of the extracts was carried out by tested bacteria and fungi (Bacillus subtilis, Staphyllococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergils  niger) by using agar—well diffusion method. The results of the antimicrobial treatment showed high activity against Bacillus subtilis with inhibition zone 22, 18 and 19 mm at 100 mg/ml in ethyl acetate, n-hexane and water respectively. On the other hand, it showed little activity against, E.coli , pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with lower inhibition zone 12 at 12.5mm in chloroform and ethyl acetate respectively.