Original Articles
Isam Eldin Fahmi Amin Mutwali
Abstract
Balanite aegyptiaca is an important woody, true xerophytic tree of tremendous importance. The plant has been used in a variety of folk medicines, e.g. an anthelminthic activity against hepatic worms (Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola gigantica), in addition to purgative, febrifuge etc. The aim of the study was to find out the nature of bioactive chemical constituents, and to determine their bioactivity such as antibacterial and antifungal activity of Balanites aegyptiaca stem bark. Phytochemical screening of the plant stem bark was carried out according to standard method of Harbone[1]. While the microbial activities were done by following disc diffusion assay. A qualitative Phytochemical analysis was performed for the detection of secondary metabolisms, which indicates the presence of Alkaloids, Tannins, Triterpenoids, Saponins. Also appositive test indicates the presence of two biomolecules Amino Acids and Carbohydrates. The microbial activities were provide that most of the extracts methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous extract showed antibacterial activities with high to moderate inhibitory effect (25 mm , 23 mm for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively). Only the chloroform and the aqueous extracts of the plant organ showed positive antifungal activity (15 and 14 mm respectively), while other extracts methanol and ethyl acetate showed negative results.