PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF RHOICISSUS TRIDENTATA

Abstract

The present study was carried out on the phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and antimicrobial activity of leaves extracts and crude oil of R. tridentata grown in Ethiopia. The leaf was extracted with n-hexane, chloroform:methanol (1:1) and methanol using soxhlet apparatus to get crude extracts. The crude extracts were subjected to phytochemical test which showed the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of twenty six components in R. tridentata leaves. Twelve compounds were indentified; representing 80% of the total oil composition. Palmitic acid, methyl ester (16.12%) was identified as a major component in the essential oil of the R. tridentata. The plant extracts were found to be more effective on bacteria than fungi. The bioassay has indicated that the inhibition effect of the extracts was proportional to the concentration applied. The maximum antibacterial activity was shown by the methanol crude extract against S.aureus with an inhibition zone of 35 mm at 60 µg/mL concentration. The maximum antifungal activity was shown by chloroform: methanol (1:1) crude extract against F.oxysporum with an inhibition zone of 22 mm at 60 µg/mL concentration. The hexane crude extract has no inhibition effect against the tested bacteria and fungi. The extract composition and the observed antimicrobial properties show that the leaves have potential for use in pharmacy