Abstract

Ceiba pentandra is a tropical tree of order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. The basic objective of this research work is to determine the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of Ceiba pentandra. Fresh leaves and bark of Ceiba petandra was collected at Akungba Akoko. Ceiba pentandra (leaf and bark) were prepared for extraction using ethyl acetate. The test organisms used for this research work are: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Kleibsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial assay was carried out using Agar dilution method. Four concentrations were used namely; 60, 30, 15, and 7.5mg/ml. Ethyl acetate was most highly reactive with the highest zone of inhibition (11.0) and lowest zone of inhibition (1.0). The phytochemical screening shows that flavonoid and Anthraquinone are absent while Cardiac Glycoside, Steroid, Phenol, Tannins, Saponin and alkaloid is present. Quantitative analyses were carried out on the elemental composition of Ceiba pentandra. The elements present are: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, lead, copper and manganense. In Ceiba pentandra leaf, calcium has a higher value (29.34) while copper has the lowest value (1.00). Potassium has the highest value (43.21) while iron has the lowest value (4.36) in bark extract of Ceiba pentandra while lead and copper are not detected. Quantitative analyses of anti-nutrients were carried out on Ceiba pentandra. The anti-nutrients present are: Tannin, Phenol, Phylate, Oxalate, Saponin, Flavonoid and Alkaloids. Phylate has the highest ant-nutrients percentage (leaf 12.33% and bark 12.45%) while Tannin has the lowest value (leaf 2.30% and bark 2.25%). Proximate analysis was carried out on Ceiba pentandra. Ash, moisture content, crude protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrate are present. Carbohydrate has the highest percentage (leaf 53.72% and bark 53.79%) while and Fat has the lowest percentage which is (leaf 8.53% and bark 8.50%). The research shows that Ceiba pentandra is an effective medicinal plant therefore the use of medicinal plants should be encouraged.