Abstract:
The present study was carried out on the chemical composition, phytochemical constituents test
and antimicrobial activities on the root extracts of Justicia schimperiana plant using Soxhlet
extraction method. The powdered root of the plant was sequentially extracted with organic
solvents: petroleum ether, methanol: chloroform (1:1) mixture and methanol, and gave the
percentage yields of 2.2٪, 24.48٪ & 20٪ respectively by using Soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical
constituent tests of Justicia schimperiana root extracts showed the presence of saponins, tannins,
flavonoids, phenols and steroids with positive results. However, the test for glycosides gave
negative result in all extracts. In the GC-MS analysis, 16 chemical components were identified in
the Petroleum ether oil extract of roots of Justicia schimperiana plant. The result revealed the
following major compounds in the extract: Methyl tetradecanoate ﴾RT:16.296﴿, Methyl 12-
methyl tridecanoate ﴾RT:17.157﴿, Methyl pentadecanoate ﴾RT:17.520﴿, Methyl palmitoleate
﴾RT:18.252﴿, Methyl 9-hexadecanoate ﴾RT:18.434﴿, Methyl hexadec-7-enoate ﴾RT:18.625﴿,
Methyl hexadecanoate ﴾RT:18.929﴿, Methyl 13-methyl pentadecanoate ﴾RT:18.562﴿, Methyl
heptadecanoate ﴾RT:20.474﴿, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid ﴾RT:21.695﴿, Methyl linoleate
﴾RT:21.688﴿, Methyl elaidate ﴾RT:21.822), Methyl oleate ﴾RT:21.890﴿, Methyl 11-Octadecenoate
﴾RT: 21.902﴿, Methyl 8- Octadecenoate ﴾RT:21.902﴿, Methyl Octadecenoate ﴾RT:22.254﴿ were
identified along with other minor components. All the three crude root extracts were testedagainst two gram positive ﴾Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pyogenes﴿, two gram negative
﴾Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi﴿ bacteria and two fungus ﴾Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus
flavus﴿ through disc diffusion assay. All extracts showed growth inhibition against all the
organisms tested. Finally, the result obtained in present study indicated that root extracts of the
plant as a rich source of phytochemical constituents, has significant antimicrobial activity, and
the GC-MS analysis provides evidence that the extract of the plant contains various chemical
compounds.
