GC-MS Analysis and Antimicrobial Studies of the Methanol Extract of Aerial Parts of Rauvolfia vomitoria obtain from Agbarho, Delta State

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and chemical compositions of the methanol extract of aerial parts of Rauvolfia vomitoria. The aerial parts of the plant were air dried, pounded using wooden mortar and pestle into coarse powder. The coarse powder was extracted successively with Soxhlet extractor. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the methanol extract revealed the presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, tannins, and saponins. The extract was investigated for in vitro antimicrobial activity against some organisms and their chemical constituents were also ascertained. The methanol extract was bactericidal against the following organisms: Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas, Candida albicans and Candida krusei. The chemical composition of the methanol extract was established using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).