Phytochemical screening and antibacterial properties of Garcinia kola

Extract of bark, seed and root of Garcinia kola were used to determine the antibacterial properties of the extract as well as determine which extract is most effective. Methanol and ethanol were used for the extraction. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; mg/ml) of the extract as well as zones of inhibition of the extract were determined. Results show that the extracts from bark of Garcinia kola contain higher % Saponins (3.2±0.04), while the root contain higher % of phenol (0.44±0.11). Bark extract of Garcinia kola was more effective in inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas auraginosa, Esherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus when compared with the extract from the root and seed. Results also show that inhibition of the test extract in (mm) was higher in extract from the bark, followed by the seed and the least zone of inhibition was found in the root extracts. The variation in the antibacterial activities is presumed to be due to different active compounds present in the extract.