PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF THE CHLOROFORM AND ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF THE ROOTS OF CEDRELA ODORATA, CHLOROPHORA EXCELSA AND GMELINA ARBOREA

In this study, the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of chloroform and ethanol extracts of the roots of Cedrela odorata, Chlorophora excelsa and Gmelina arborea. The phytochemical screening was carried out using qualitative standards while antimicrobial sensitivity tests were determined using agar-well diffusion method. The extracts were tested against gram negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The test fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, Mucor sp and Candida albicans. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. In the agar-well diffusion assay, highest inhibition zone diameters of 25.30±0.02 mm and 10.70±0.04 mm for P. aeruginosa and C. albicans respectively were recorded for chloroform extract while 18.33±0.02 mm and 10.70±0.04 mm for S. aureus and C. albicans respectively were recorded for ethanol extracts. Chloroform extracts showed higher zones of inhibition (mm) compared to corresponding concentrations of ethanol extracts. C. odorata and G. arborea (chloroform extracts) compared favorably with pefloxacin, a positive control.