Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Properties of Momordica Balsamina L. (Balsam Apple) Leaves Extracts

Abstract: The microbial treatment methods are losing potentiality as pathogens are swiftly gaining resistance to antibiotics, which poses a threat to global health communities and necessitates searching for alternatives therapeutics from plants origin with limited side effects. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical components and antimicrobial properties of extracts from Momordica balsamina leaves to scientifically justify the use of this plant as remedy for treating certain ailments. The ground powdered leaves of Momordica balsamina were percolated with Ethanol and fractioned into n–Hexane, Chloroform and Methanol fractions which were evaluated against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus using Agar well diffusion method. The MIC and MBC were determined. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant extracts using standard method revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, saponins and tannins. The antimicrobial analysis results revealed sensitivity with highest zone of inhibition of 29.0±2.0mm, 27.0±3.0mm, 19.0±1.0mm and 15.0±2.0mm for ethanol extract against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. This study revealed extracts from Momordica balsamina leaves contained some bioactive compounds that could be used to treat ailments caused by these bacteria tested.

Microbial, Mormodica balsamina, phytochemicals, infectious diseases, bioactive compounds

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