Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of the Pulp Extract and Fractions of Ziziphus mauritiana

Abstract

The methanol pulp extract of Ziziphus mauritiana was investigated for the presence of bioactive substances and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphyloccus aureus, Salmonela typhi and Bacillus subtilis using the agar diffusion method. The result of phytochemical test indicated that tannins, flavonoids, saponin, cyanogenic glycosides, and terpenoids were present in pulp. The result of antibacterial studies indicates that the crude extract as well as fractions possesses significant activity against the tested organisms. The extract and its fraction also possess good inhibitory activity; hence can be used as antibacterial agent.