Antibacterial and Phytochemical Screening of Crude Extracts of Leaves and Seeds of Datura stramonium

Abstract

Datura stramonium, known by the common name Jimson weed, belongs to nightshade family; its origin can be traced back to Mexico, it has also been grown in other regions including Nigeria. This plant possesses antimicrobial agents which aid in its efficacy for treatment of ailments. Hence, this study investigated the antibacterial activities and phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanol extract of leaves and seeds of Datura stramonium. Leaves and seeds of the plant sample were processed to obtain fractions of crude extracts which were used against bacterial isolates such as, E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhi and P. aeruginosa. Phytochemical screening of the samples was also done to detect the presence of alkaloid, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, tannin, terpenoids, sterol and phenols. Results obtained showed the susceptibility pattern against the bacterial isolates at concentrations ranging from 0.5 – 2.5 mg/mL. The methanol extract of leaves of the plant sample showed high susceptibility pattern against E. coli and S. typhi. The study shows that crude extracts of leaves and seed of the plant sample were effective against the test organisms. The phytochemicals constituents were also present except sterol which is lacking in the seed sample due to the solvent used such as ethanol but may be present if other solvent is used. Antibacterial activity of crude extracts of D. stramonium leaves and seeds were as a result of presence of phytochemical constituents because they are fundamental biomedicals, which are considered biologically to be active compounds.