Antimicrobial potencies of selected native African herbs against water microbes

Abstract

Phyto-active components of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Gongronema latifolium was investigated against microbial contaminants in water for possible novel antimicrobial usage in water treatment. Crude ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Gongronema latifolium were prepared and screened for antimicrobial and phytochemical profiles using standard methods. Crude extracts of the different plant examined selectively comprised saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, anthraquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, phlobatanins and alkaloids. All plant extracts showed broad spectrum antibiosis against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp, S. pneumoniae and B. cereus, as well as A. niger, A. flavus, Trichoderma sp and Candida sp. Chloroform extracts compared well than ethyl acetate extracts. This work represents the first report to direct the possible application of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Gongronema latifolium to potential application in water. Overall results revealed that antimicrobial activities are dose and plant dependent. Noteworthy is the comparatively greater antimicrobial activity of crude extracts over commercial antibiotics used at the concentration of extracts tested. These plants can therefore serve as a potent source of natural water disinfectant.