ABSTRACT
Garcinia kola seeds and leaves were screened for their anti bacterial
activities using 1% hydrochloric acid, diethylether, acetic acid (ethanoic
acid) and acetone. The seeds and leaves were dried and ground into
powdered form. 10g of the ground seeds and leaves were in four sets. 90ml
of the extraction solvents was added to each set. The seed and leaf extracts
were tested on clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,
Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus pyogenes using Agar Diffusion Method.
Acetic acid seed and leaf extract showed the highest degree of zones of
inhibition of 44mm and 37mm respectively against all the test organisms.
The other extracts showed no inhibitory effect on the test organisms. The
mechanism of action of the seed and leaf extract on the four bacteria had
leakage of both protein and potassium (K+) ions. Phytochemical screening
of the extracts revealed the presence of some bioactive components like
alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. These
components determine the antibacterial activity of the seed and leaf
extracts. The results from this study, provides scientific evidence that
Garcinia kola has the capability of inhibiting the growth of pathogenic micro
organisms; thus it will be useful in tropical medicine for the treatment of
microbial infections.