Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial properties of partially purified ethyl acetate

Erythrina senegalensis DC. (Coral tree) is commonly grown in West Africa as an ornamental plant and one of the oldest known African medicinal plants. The purpose of this research is to determine the antimicrobial potency, phytochemical activities, nutrients and elemental composition of the leaf and bark of Erythrina senegalensis. The organisms used for the study are Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Klebsiella pneumonia. The leaf and bark were extracted using one extracting solvent (ethyl acetate) and three extracting solvent (N-hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol) for elution. Erythrina senegalensis extracts were partially purified using the column chromatography method. The antimicrobial potency of the partially purified extracts of Erythrina senegelensis was determined using the agar dilution method. Quantitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of Erythrina senegelensis were also observed and recorded accordingly. The antimicrobial activity of Erythrina senegalensis extracts of both leaf and bark, shows the antimicrobial sensitivity test of Erythrina senegalensis against the test organisms. Fraction one (F1) and fraction (F2) of the Erythrina senegalensis bark extracts are more effective on Candida albican and Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible while the fraction two (F2) and fraction (F3) of the leaf extract are lesser in antimicrobial activity. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of Erythrina senegalensis shows that the Erythrina senegalensis contains Saponins, Flavonoids, Phylate, Alkaloids, Phenol, Tannin and Oxalate. Erythrina senegalensis also contains minerals such as Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Potassium(K), Magnesium(Mg), Zinc(Zn), Iron(Fe), Copper(Cu) and Manganese (Mn). Nutrient compositions of the Erythrina senegalensis are also of great importance to human survival. As a result of the effectiveness of Erythrina senegalensis extracts on the test organisms used, it is consider as potential source of antimicrobial agents against life threatening diseases.