Investigations into the Folkloric Antimicrobial Activities ofLandolphia owrrience

Abstract

The folkloric antimicrobial activities of Landolphia owrrience were investigated using ether, ethylacetate and n-butanol extracts of the leaves as well as six TLC components (A–F) of the n-butanol extract. The activities of these extracts and TLC components were investigated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger using the agar diffusion method. The n-butanol fraction as well as its TLC fractions showed marked antimicrobial activities against the four organisms. The n-butanol extract was active against all the organisms except B. subtilis. The TLC fractions A, D and E showed similar antimicrobial spectra and were active against E. coli, B. subtilis and C. albicans. Fractions B and F possessed similar antimicrobial spectra, showing activity against B. subtilis and C. albicans. Fractions B and F have the greatest fungicidal activity while fraction A has the greatest antibacterial activity based on the MIC results. These activities have been attributed to the presence of steroids, saponins, tannins and saponins probably as glycosides. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.