Abstract

*Patience O. Adomi, Mamuyovwi J. Nana and Ubreye B. Owhe-Ureghe

ABSTRACT

The study investigated phytochemical properties and antibacterial effects of some Nigerian plant seeds used as spices. Nine extracts were derived from the plant seeds. The phytochemical tests results showed that alkaloids and flavonoids were present in A. sceptrum extracts and absence of anthraquinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, terpenoids and carotenoids. Piper guineense also showed the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids while absence of carotenoids. Chrysobalanus icaco contained most of the phytochemical compounds with exception of terpenoids, carotenoids and anthraquinones. Piper guineense water extract was active against Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterococcus sp. All extracts obtained from Chrysobalanus icaco were active against Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus sp. with inhibition zone of 15mm and 18mm for ethanol extract and 17mm and 19mm for methanol extract and the highest zone of inhibition was observed for water extract (20mm) of same plant. The bacteria tested were not sensitive to Aframomum sceptrum. The minimum inhibitory concentration for active extracts were 12.5mg/ml for C .icaco and 25mg/ml for P. guineese. Chryosobalanus icaco and Piper guineese had phytochemical and antibacterial properties which could be exploited for formulation of medicines for bacterial infections.