Abstract

A.S. Kamba* and L. G. Hassan

Plants and plant-based products are the bases of many of the modern pharmaceuticals we use today for various ailments. The objective of the study is to determine the bioactive chemical constituents and to evaluate extracts of Euphorbia balsamifera leaves, stem and root for in vitro antimicrobial activities by seagar dilution method. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts of the plant parts revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, steroid, terpenoid, flavonoids, cardic glycosides and balsam (gum). The extract of E. balsamifera leaves, stem and roots were mostly effective against the Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed four, three and two spots for ethanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts respectively using ethyl acetate: hexane solvent mixture. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the crude extracts were determined for the various organisms which ranged between 5.0 and 6.0 mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged between 4.5 and 6.0 mg/ml. E. balsamifera could be a potential source of antimicrobial agents.