European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF THE METHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LINN)

*Jack, I. R. and Nwachoko, N.

ABSTRACT

Psidium guajava linn commonly known as guava and belonging to the family Myrtaceae is widely used in folk medicine. The phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of the leaves showed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, proteins and triterpenoids but alkaloids and glycosides were absent. The presence of these phytochemicals indicates the pharmacological property and nutritive value of the plant. The sensitivity of five test organisms grown on MacConkey and blood agar were tested on the extract of different dilutions. The result showed that Escherichia coli indicated sensitivity with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 1.50cm only at full strength, Staphylococcus aureus with a (ZOI) of 2.5cm each at 50% and 100% strength and Proteus vulgaris with (ZOI) 0.60cm, 0.80cm and 1.00cm at 10%, 50% and 100% strength respectively. Streptococcus pneumonia and Pseudomonas spp. did not show sensitivity towards the extract.

Keywords: Guava (Psidium guajava linn), phytochemical, antimicrobial, zone of inhibition (ZOI).