Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Extracts

The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the wood and stem bark of Bryophyllum pinnatum were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and activity against selected microorganisms. Phytochemicals found present were reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols. The test microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum spp and Trichophyton rubrum. The Ethyl acetate extracts were the most effective against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and K. Pneumonia (MIC 5.0 mg/mL) and S. dysenteriae, C. albicans, Microsporum spp, and T. rubrum (MIC 10 mg/mL).