A Study on the Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Ficus glumosa Delile (Moraceae)

Authors: Ilodibia CV*, Chukwuma MO, Umezulike JC and Igweka EO

DOI: 10.23880/oajbi-16000114

Volume 2, Issue 1

Abstract

Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial studies of the ethanolic leaf and stem extracts of African rock fig (Ficus glumosa) were carried out to determine its potency as a medicinal plant. The presence of these phytochemicals (alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, sterol, tannin, saponin, lycopene, beta carotene and ascorbic acid) was determined using standard techniques. Antioxidant activity of leaf and stem extracts was determined by reducing power capacity. The antimicrobial assay of leaf and stem extracts was carried out at different concentrations against some selected human pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) using disc diffusion method. Analysis of variance was employed in data analysis. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, sterol, tannin and saponin. Antioxidant studies indicated that the extract had antioxidant potentials and the effectiveness of the extract increases progressively as the concentration increases. Antimicrobial studies indicated that the ethanolic leaf and stem extracts of Ficus glumosa inhibited the growth of the pathogen but at varied levels. The extract showed higher inhibition against the fungal strains than the bacterial strains. Inhibitory effect of the leaf extract was significantly higher than those of the stem extract. Data obtained from this research showed that the plant possessed antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials and could be used in treatment of microbial infections especially fungal infections and also used to protect cells against free radical damages.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Antioxidant; Ethanolic; Ficus Glumosa; Medicinal; Pathogens; Phytochemical

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