Original Articles
Egwu-Ikechukwu MM, Uzoh CV, Ok
Abstract
Phytochemical analysis of Phyllanthus urinaria and Phyallanthus amarus were studied. The results revealed the presence of flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, terpenoid, steroid, resin, glycoside, saponin and phenolic nucleus at different intensities. All the phytochemical parameters tested were present in methanol extract of P. amarus. Glycoside and tannin were absent in water extract of P. urinaria, water extract of P. amarus and methanol extract of P. urinaria while resin was absent only in the water extract of P. urinaria. The methanol and hot water extracts of these plant leaves were used to assess the antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of Phyllanthus urinaria against Staphylococcus aureus had a highest value of 1.71 ± 0.283, while that of ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus against Aspergillus niger had the highest value of 1.47 ± 0.012. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Ethanol and hot water extracts of P. urinaria on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus aureus were (19.00, 15.00) and (17.20, 14.00) while P. amarus were (21.50, 18.00) mg/ml and (20.50, 17.80) mg/ml. The MIC of ethanol and hot water extract of P. urinaria on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were (11.00, 10.00) mg/ml and (9.60, 9.50) mg/ml while on P. amarus (9.40, 9.10) mg/ml and (7.10, 7.00) mg/ml.