Effect Of Varying Soil Minerals And Phytochemical Parameters On Antibacterial Susceptibility Of Mitracarpus Villosus Ethanol Extracts; Using Samples From South East And South-Southern Regions Of Nigeria.

Ubani, C.S., Oje, O. A., Ihekogwo, F.N.P., Eze, E. A., and Okafor, C. L

Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author E-mail: oje.obinna@unn.edu.ng 

Accepted 29 June, 2012

Abstract

The study is aimed at comparatively investigating the antibacterial activities of the ethanol extract of leaves and inflorescence of Mitracarpus villosus collected from Nsukka (Enugu State) and Ikom (Cross River State), and how soil minerals from where these plant leaves were harvested relate to the generation of phytochemical compounds. Quantitiative phytochemistry showed that the extracts of the plant leaves collected from Enugu State has more concentrations of cyanide, tannin, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids, while extracts of the plant leaves collected from Cross River State has more concentrations of reducing sugar, soluble carbohydrate, saponin and glycoside. The ethanol extracts prepared were investigated against slected species of klebsiella pnenomiae, staphyococcus aureus, E-coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Cup plate test was used to determine the sensitivity of the tested organisms, while the Broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results of antibacterial assays showed that all tested extracts were active against the bacteria used. The ethanol extract of plant leaves obtained from Enugu state showed direct anti-bacterial activity against all tested micro-organism with IZD ranging from 7-28mm, while the plant leave extracts obtained from Cross River State showed the same effect with MIC ranging from 11-19mm, respectively. Soil analysis results showed that soil sample from Enugu State has lower mineral elements, organic matter content and high pH, than soil sample from Cross River State. The variations in soil analysis, phytochemical screening and sensitivity result of these samples collected from two different geographical zones of our country suggest a possible interplay among these parameters and it is therefore suggested that these factors be considered in the search for alternative  sources of antibacterial agents

Keywords: Mitracarpus villosus, Phytochemicals, Soil Minerals, Antibacterial activity, Minimum inhibitory concentration