Antibacterial activity of Ficus capensis

The leaves and stem bark of Ficus capensis were investigated for antibacterial activity against some selected organisms at a concentration of 2000 µg/ml using agar diffusion method. The crude leaf extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Shigella sp. but no activity against Salmonella typhi. The stem bark extracts also had activity against E. coli and Shigella sp. but no activity against S. typhi. The phytochemical screening of the extracts reveals the presence of alkaloids, balsams, taninins, carbohydrates, resins, flavonoids, Sterols and terpenes. Glycosides were absent in the leaf extract while the stem bark extract had glycosides. Both extracts did not posses free arthraquinones and saponins. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts range from 500-2000 µg/ml. The fractions obtained from the thin layer chromatography had no activity on the test organisms. The results from the activity of the crude extracts suggest thatF. capensis could be used in treatment of diseases caused by these bacteria except S. typhi.   Key words: Ficus capensis, antibacterial, phytochemical.