Antimicrobial Activity of the Phytochemical Constituents of Chrysophyllum Albidum G.Don Holl. (African Star Apple) Plant
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenol and cardic glycoside present in the various parts of Chrysophyllum albidium plant were investigated. These phytochemical were determined quantitatively and tested against staphylococcus aureus, B. subtilis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, C. tetani, and the fungus; candida albicans. Most the plant parts were found to contain alkaloids, tannins, phenols and flavonoids except for the absence of cardic glycosides in the root, tannins in leaves, and phenol in seed. The significance of the plant parts in traditional medicine and the importance of the distribution of these phytochemicals were discussed with respect to the role of these plant parts in ethno-medicine in Nigeria.
Keywords: Medicinal plants, ethno-medicine, photochemical constituents.
Introduction
The Chrysophyllum albidium G.Don_Holl.( Sapotaceae) tree is common throughout the tropical Central, East and West Africa regions for its sweet edible fruits and various ethno-medical uses (Dalziel,1937,Amusa et al.,2003). Chrysophyllum albidum fruits(known as African star apple) are widely eaten in southern Nigeria. The fruit is seasonal (December-March), when ripe, ovoid to sub-globose, pointed at the apex, and up to 6 cm long and 5 cm in diameter. The skin or peel, is orange to golden yellow when ripe and the pulp within the peel may be orange, pinkish, or light yellow, within the pulp are three to five seeds which are not usually eaten. The seed-coats are hard, bony, shiny, and dark brown, and when broken reveal white-coloured cotyledons. The fruit has immense economic potential, especially following the report that jams that could compete with raspberry jams and jellies could be made from it (Okafor, 1975). The fleshy fruit pulp is suitable for jams and is eaten especially as snack by both young and old (Okafor, 1975, Amusa et.al., 2003) .The fruit has been found to have the highest content of ascorbic acid per 100g of
The antimicrobial activity of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenol and cardic glycoside present in the various parts of Chrysophyllum albidium plant were investigated. These phytochemical were determined quantitatively and tested against staphylococcus aureus, B. subtilis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, C. tetani, and the fungus; candida albicans. Most the plant parts were found to contain alkaloids, tannins, phenols and flavonoids except for the absence of cardic glycosides in the root, tannins in leaves, and phenol in seed. The significance of the plant parts in traditional medicine and the importance of the distribution of these phytochemicals were discussed with respect to the role of these plant parts in ethno-medicine in Nigeria.
Keywords: Medicinal plants, ethno-medicine, photochemical constituents.
Introduction
The Chrysophyllum albidium G.Don_Holl.( Sapotaceae) tree is common throughout the tropical Central, East and West Africa regions for its sweet edible fruits and various ethno-medical uses (Dalziel,1937,Amusa et al.,2003). Chrysophyllum albidum fruits(known as African star apple) are widely eaten in southern Nigeria. The fruit is seasonal (December-March), when ripe, ovoid to sub-globose, pointed at the apex, and up to 6 cm long and 5 cm in diameter. The skin or peel, is orange to golden yellow when ripe and the pulp within the peel may be orange, pinkish, or light yellow, within the pulp are three to five seeds which are not usually eaten. The seed-coats are hard, bony, shiny, and dark brown, and when broken reveal white-coloured cotyledons. The fruit has immense economic potential, especially following the report that jams that could compete with raspberry jams and jellies could be made from it (Okafor, 1975). The fleshy fruit pulp is suitable for jams and is eaten especially as snack by both young and old (Okafor, 1975, Amusa et.al., 2003) .The fruit has been found to have the highest content of ascorbic acid per 100g of