Abstract

Okwuwe CI , Tonukari NJand Uzoh CV

The phytochemical and antimicrobial activities of some indigenous Nigerian vegetables and spices against E.coli and C.albicans were determined using the susceptibility and inhibitory concentration technique. The vegetables Cucurbitacaea peltafum, Acalypha begonia and spices Mondora myristica and Aframomum sceptrum extracts showed susceptibility with zones of inhibition diameters of 10mm, 8mm,10mm and 7mm respectively after 24 hours of incubation while vegetables like V. amygdalina, Talinium triangulare, C. peltafum, A. begonia, Telferiaoccidentalis and the spice Monodora myristica extractshad zones of inhibition of 6mm, 7mm, 9mm, 11mm, 10mm and 10mm respectively against C. albicans. The phytochemical screening analysis showed that extracts with antimicrobial activity contains some quantity of phytochemicals like saponin, tannin, flavonoid and alkaloids. These results shows that this plant can be used for the treatment of diseases caused by these microorganisms. These antimicrobial properties exerted may be due to the presence of the phytochemicals.