Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Heavy Metals Analyses of Sarcocephalus Latifolius Leave Extract

Extraction of the leaves of Sarcocephalus latifolius was done using acetone, methanol, diethylether, petroleum ether, water and ethanol as solvent to analyze its phytochemical constituents followed by the quantitative analysis and antimicrobial property. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids (5.22%) in diethylether, petroleum ether and water extracts, saponins (18.2%) in methanol and water extracts, but trace amount in acetone, petroleum ether and ethanol extracts, tannins (0.63%) in water and ethanol extracts, glycosides (0.72%) in acetone, diethyl ether, ethanol, water and methanol extracts while steroids and flavonoids were absent. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of water and methanol extract was done using the agar well diffusion method against clinical isolates of gram positive bacteria (and staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi). The result of water extract showed higher inhibition potency than the methanol extract when compared with the positive control Ciprofloxacin. Heavy metal analysis was also conducted, the result indicated absence of chromium, lead, and arsenic, presence of zinc(0.18ppm), nickel(7.69ppm), manganese(2.21ppm), iron(1.36ppm),) and copper(0.1ppm). All were within W.H.O acceptable limit except nickel. This result concludes that the leaves of Sarcocephalus latifolius is medicinal as speculated by the orthodox medicine, but the heavy metals constituents of the plant should also be considered to avoid taking contaminated extract as medicine.