Abstract

M. H. Shagal*, U.U. Modibbo, and A. B. Liman

Phytochermical screening and antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extract of the stem-bark of Datura stramonium was carried out. The extraction with the two solvents (water and ethanol) was carried out at room temperature. The phytochemical investigations include saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and glycosides. The antimicrobial activity was investigation on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella spp, Eschericia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Neisseria gonorrhea. The results revealed the presence of saponins, steroids, alkaloids, and glycosides in both the extracts. Flavonoid was present only in the ethanol extract. The antimicrobial activity revealed that ethanolic extract showed more antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. It showed some activities against all the tested bacteria except Neisseria gonorrhea. The aqueous extract only showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus.