PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF AGERATUM CONYZOIDES PLANT USING ETHANOL

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of Ageratum conyzoides (Goat Weed), a medicinal plant traditionally used for treating infections and inflammatory conditions. The leaves were collected, dried, powdered, and extracted with ethanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method against Streptococcus pyogenes and Salmonella typhi. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth dilution technique.The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, and cardiac glycosides, while alkaloids and anthraquinones were absent. The antimicrobial results showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect, with the highest activity recorded at 200 mg/mL, producing inhibition zones of 13.00 ± 0.00 mm against Streptococcus pyogenes and 8.00 ± 0.00 mm against Salmonella typhi. The MIC for S. pyogenes was 100 µg/mL. ANOVA results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the inhibition zones, confirming that antimicrobial activity increased with concentration. The findings support the traditional use of A. conyzoides as a potential natural antimicrobial agent and justify further research on its therapeutic applications.