Comparative Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Properties of the Fruit Epicarp and Seed Extracts of Cola lepidota K. Schum

Abstract

In this study, comparative preliminary phytochemical screening and antibacterial properties of the fruit epicarp and seed extracts of Cola lepidota K. Schum against various bacterial strains with a view to ascertaining the scientific basis for its ethnobotanical use and establishing its effect was studied.  The fruit of Cola lepidota K. Schum has been traditionally used in medicine for various therapeutic purposes. The extracts were obtained using methanol. The extracts were further analyzed for their phytochemical composition, including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones. The antibacterial activities was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The results showed that the seed extract exhibited more potent activity against E. coli (MIC of 0.25mg/mL) compared to the fruit epicarp extract. The seed extract also showed notable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, B. subtilis, and Pseudomonas sp., with zone of inhibition values of 30.0mm, 20.0mm, 20.0mm, and 20.0mm, respectively, at a concentration of 100mg/mL. The fruit epicarp extract showed comparable antibacterial activity, although to a lesser extent.  The high phytochemical potential in the extracts justify its folkloric use in the management, treatment of some degenerative diseases and as a source of novel antimicrobial agent