Antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of the methanolic extract of Cnestis ferruginea DC (connaraceae) leaves

Extract from Cnestis ferruginea leaves has been used worldwide due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in treating related ailments. The aim of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of the extract of Cnestis ferruginea DC (Connaraceae) leaves. The methanol extract was evaluated for the presence of phytochemicals. The methanol extract was evaluated for antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus spp. Thereafter, antioxidant activities were also carried out with DPPH (2,2- Diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods using ascorbic acid as standard for DPPH and FRAP. The total phenol and total flavonoid contents were determined using garlic acid and quercetin respectively. The results indicate the presence of phytochemicals such as, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. The results also indicate that all the organisms were sensitive to the various extract concentrations used (100 – 6.25 mg/mL). The minimum inhibitory concentration demonstrated by the organisms include, E. coli (12.5mg/mL), B. subtilis (6.25mg/mL), S. aureus (12.5mg/mL), P. aeruginosa (6.25mg/mL), C. Albicans (100mg/mL), and A. spp (100mg/mL). The mean % inhibition for DPPH increases with increasing concentrations compared to that of FRAP that decreases with increasing concentrations. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the crude extract of C. ferruginea leaves are 82.89 + 0.06 mg/GAE/g and  57.09 + 0.04 mg/QAE/g respectively. This study showed that the plant extract exhibited good antimicrobial and antioxidant activity against the test microorganisms.