Phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial properties of n-butanol seed extract of Garcinia kola

Objective: Phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the n-butanol seed extract of Garcinia kola was investigated against some bacterial isolates. Methods: Six (6) bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella. typhi, E. coli and P. aeroginosa were use to investigate the anti bacterial activity, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results: The phytochemical analysis of the n-butanol seed extract indicates the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and tannins. The extract exhibited significant inhibitory action against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The zone of inhibition exhibited by the extract against the tested organisms ranged between 7 and 19 mm while zone of inhibition exhibited by tetracycline as the standard antibiotics ranged between 19 and 32 mm. On the other hand, MIC against the bacterial isolates (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) was 100 and 200 mg/ml, while MBC was 100, 200 mg/ml. Conclusion: The n-butanol extract of Garcinia kola has antibacterial activity hence validating the folkloric claims and application of the decoction of Garcinia kola in the management of some bacterial infections especially of the oral cavity and dental caries by traditionalists and herbalists in Africa especially in Nigeria.