Phytochemical analysis and biological activity of a precipitate from Pavetta crassipes

Abstract

Precipitate obtained from the aqueous extract of a Pavetta crassipes K. Schum (Rubiaceae) was analyzed for biological activity and phytochemical makeup. Phytochemical studies of the precipitate showed the presence of flavonoids. Antimicrobial studies showed that the precipitate inhibited the growths of Corynebacterium ulcerans, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 6.25 mg/ml with corresponding minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 12.5 mg/ml. It also inhibited the growths of Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Neiserria gonorrhea at 12.5 mg/ml with a corresponding MBC at 25 mg/ml. It however showed no inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhii and Candida albicans. The precipitate is undergoing purification and characterization and will be reported in due course. Key words: Pavetta crassipes, Rubiaceae, flavonoid, antimicrobial screening.