Phytochemical analysis and anti-bacterial activity of Steganotaenia araliacea stem bark for management of diarrhea
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Date
2024
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Busitema University
Abstract
Diarrhea remain a major concern in developing countries of Africa leading to high rates of death especially among children below the age of 5 and it is attributed to bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. Due to increased resistance of the prescribed drugs by diarrhea causing bacteria, alternatives medications derived from medicinal plants are being considered especially in the developing countries. Steganotaenia araliacea commonly known as the African parsley tree is traditionally used in Africa to manage various diseases including diarrhea. The main goal of this study was to analyze the phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of the plant and evaluate its antibacterial activity. Alcoholic extracts of S. araliacea bark were subjected to various phytochemical analysis to identify the phytochemical components present in the plant. These phytochemicals (alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins) were then quantified using different standards whose calibration curves were used to determine the total amount of each phytochemical. Antibacterial assay of the Crude extract of Steganotaenia araliacea was carried out to investigate its effectiveness on E. coli bacteria. The results of the phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of various phytochemical compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins and phenolic compounds. Quantification results showed that the extract had a high concentration of alkaloids (125.05.mg/g), moderate concentration of phenols and tannins (78.27 and 64.45 respectively) with low concentration of flavonoids (40.37). Antibacterial activity of the stem bark extracts of the plant material showed no inhibition on E. coli. Further investigation should be carried out against other bacterial strains like Salmonella typhi to fully explore the antibacterial potential of steganotaenia araliacea.
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Chemusto, D. (2024). Phytochemical analysis and anti-bacterial activity of steganotaenia araliacea STEM bark for management of diarrhea [Undergraduate, Research Report]. Busitema University.