ABSTRACT

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial activity of the leaves of Tetrapluera tetraptera using aqueous and ethanolic extract was studied. The leave was observed to be highly rich in polyphenols, flavonoid, reducing compounds and alkaloids. Glycosides, saponins and tanins were present in small amount, there was absence of Phlobotanins, anthraquinones and hydroxyl methyl anthraquinones. In order to confirm the exact concentration of the Phytochemicals present in the leave of T. tetraptera, a GCMS analysis was carried out which revealed the presence of 14 components.  Alkaloids had the highest Phytochemical of 21.67%, followed by Terpenes (14.56%), Phytate (12.39%) Tanins (10.08%). Compounds also present were Flavonoid, phenol, Phytosterol and Cardiac glycosides which were moderately high, Saponins,  cyanogenic glycosides, Oxalate, Anthocyanins, Steroids and Coumarin were also present but in smaller quantity ranging from 2.34- 0.83. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using the standard disc diffusion method on 3 microorganisms.  The aqueous extract inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp while the ethanolic extract had no effect on any of the test microorganisms. The highest inhibition shown on Proteus was 12.38mm. In addition, the leave contained essential elements like K (3.90), Na (4.92), CA (2.08). The leave was also rich in Vitamin A (295.72 ±0.02), Vitamin C (34.60±0.01). Other vitamins present were Riboflavin, thiamin and niacin. The results confirmed that the leave extracts of T. tetraptera can be harnessed for therapy of diseases associated with these pathogens. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TitlePage

Title Pagei

Declarationii

Certificationiii

Dedicationiv

Acknowledgementsv

Abstractvi

Table of Contentsvii

List of Tablesxi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 

Introduction1

Aim and objectives     5                                                                                                 

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The history of medicinal plant6                                                                                                                           

2.2 Medicinal plants in Africa 7                                                                                   

2.3 Drug resistance by human pathogens 10                                                                                                                  

2.4 Phytochemical properties of Tetrapluera tetraptera    11                                                                                                          

2.5 BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

2.5.1 Saponin11                                                                                                                           

2.5.2 flavonin      12                                                                                                                    

2.5.3 Tanins13                                                                                                                          

2.5.4 Phenolics16                                                                                                                          

2.5.5 Alkaloids17

2.5.6 Terpenes18                                                                                                         

2.6 Mechanism of action of phytochemicals18

2.7 Safety concerns of phytochemicals19

2.8 Medicinal Plant used in the study20                                                                                                                         

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Collection of study plant25

3.2 Collection and identification of Clinical Isolates25

3.3 Preparation of Media25

3.4 Preparation of leave sample26

3.5 Gram Staining27

3.6 Physiological tests28

3.6.1 Catalase Test28

3.6.2 Coagulase Test28

3.6.3 Citrate Test29

3.6.4 Oxidase Test29

3.6.5 Motility test30

3.7 Phytochemical screening 30

3.7.1 Test for tannins30

3.7.2 Test for alkaloids30

3.7.3 Test For Saponins31

3.7.4 Test for Tannins31

3.7.5 Test for reducing compounds31

3.8 Determination of vitamins33

3.8.1 Determination of vitamin A33

3.8.2 Determination of vitamin C33

3.8.3 Determination of Riboflavin34

3.8.4 Determination of Thaimine34

3.8.5 Determination of Niacin35

3.9 Estimation of mineral elements35

3.9.1 Preparation of Samples35

3.9.2 Zinc35

3.9.3 Iron 36

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT       38                                                                                       

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMEDATION

5.1 Discussion51

5.2 Summary and Conclusion53

5.3 Recommendation  54

REFFERENCES 

APPENDICES 

LIST OF TABLE

Table TitlePage 

 Medicinal plant studied41

 Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leave of T.tetraptera42

 Quantitative estimation of  crude phytochemical components of the leave of 

T. tetraptera43

 Characterization identification of bacteria isolates44

Antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of T. tetraptera45

Anti- Nutrient composition of leaves of T. tetraptera46

Proximate composition of  Uyayak ( Tetrapluera tetraptera)              47

Percentage of vitamins in the leaves of T.tetraptera48

Elemental composition of leaves of T. tetraptera                                             49

GCMS analysis of the phytochemical components of the leave of T. tetraptera. 50                                                                                                                                                               

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG.               TITLE.                                                                                                            PAGE

 1                Structure of Saponin.                                                                                       12

 2.              Structures of some Flavonoid.                                                                          13 

 3a.            Structures of Hydrolysable Tannins.                                                               14

 3b.             Structures of Condensed Tannins.                                                                  15

 4.               Structures of some Phenolics.                                                                           16

 5.                Structures of Some Alkaloids.                                                                         18

 6.          GCMS analysis of phytochemical components of the leave of T. tetraptera.     51