Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Screening of Root Extracts of Dacryodes edulis

Aims: To screen extracts of Dacryodes edulis phytochemically. To assay the said extracts for antimicrobial activity. To validate or otherwise claims by traditional medicine practitioners on Dacryodes edulis.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, from October 2016 to November 2016.

Methodology: Roots of Dacryodes edulis extracted using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, were phytochemically screened for presence of secondary metabolites. Anti-microbial assay of extracts was done using Methicillin resist Staph. aureus, vancomycin resist enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis.

Results: Results showed presence of steroid/triterpenes, phenols, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids and flavonoids. Anti-microbial screening of extracts showed sensitivity against six microbes: Staphylococcus aureus; Salmonella typhi; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin resist, staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Candida krusei. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited highest zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (28 mm) and highest growth inhibitory effects (MIC) for the microbes at concentrations of 1.25 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL. All other extracts had Minimum Bactericidal/ Fungicidal Concentration (MBC/MFC), values of 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL respectively.

Conclusion: This study has justified the traditional use of the plant for treatment of various diseases that are caused by these organisms.