PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF STEM BARK AND LEAF EXTRACT OF (ADANSONIA DIGITATA) BAOBAB TREE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Adansonia digitata (Baobab) is a widely distributed African tree recognized for its nutritional and medicinal significance. This study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of stem bark and leaf extracts of A. digitata. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, and phenols, which are known to contribute to the plant’s therapeutic properties. Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic and aqueous extracts was assessed using the agar well diffusion method against selected clinical isolates including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed that both stem bark and leaf extracts exhibited inhibitory effects, with the stem bark extract demonstrating higher antimicrobial activity compared to the leaves. The zones of inhibition were concentration-dependent, suggesting that the efficacy of the extracts increases with extract concentration. The findings support the traditional use of A. digitata in managing infectious diseases and highlight its potential as a source of natural antimicrobial agents. Further studies on isolation, purification, and characterization of the bioactive compounds are recommended to develop plant-based therapeutic agents.
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