Phytochemical Compositions and Antibacterial Activities of Some Medicinal Plants Found in Aliero Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria

In this research, hexane and acetone extracts of Bauhinia rufences, Securidaca longepedunculata and Ziziphus abyssinica were investigated for antibacterial activity. The phytochemical screening of the plants leaves extracts was conducted using standard methods of analyses. The effects of the two solvent extracts on the bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aereus) were determined using agar well diffusion method. The most susceptible microorganisms were P. aeruginosa, S. typhi while the least susceptible was E.coli. Highest antibacterial activity was observed with hexane extract of B. rufences against S. typhi (12.75mm). While minimum activity was observed with hexane extract of S. longepedunculata and acetone leaves extract of B. rufences against E. coli (6.00mm and 6.00mm respectively). Hexane extracts had more inhibitory effects compared to acetone extracts, but were less potent when compared to ampiclox used as standard control. It can be concluded that these plants can be useful in the treatment of bacterial infections especially of the tested species which are common in our communities and the plants can be of easy access compared to synthetic medicines especially in our rural communities.