Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of leaf extracts of Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena diversifolia and Sesbania sesban
Publication Date
2020Author
66. Emitaro W.O., Musyimi D.M. , Opande G.T, Odiambo G
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Show full item recordAbstract/ Overview
Phytochemical compounds are secondary metabolites of plants useful as antimicrobial agents. Botanicals are being explored for bioactive compounds with
antimicrobial properties against phytopathogens. Little information is available on the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena
diversifolia and Sesbania sesban against Cercospora zeae-maydis and Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. The aim of the study was to determine the
phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of leaf extracts of C. calothyrsus, L. diversifolia and S. sesban against C. zeae-maydis and Xc. pv. musacearum. Dried
leaves were extracted in methanol and aqueous solvents and screened for phytochemical and antimicrobial activity using Kirby-Bauer’s disk diffusion and poisoned
food technique methods. Sesbania sesban extracts contained all the phytochemical tested; tannins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, Leucaena
diversifolia lacked alkaloids while Calliandra calothyrsus lacked steroids and alkaloids. The extracts were active against Cercospora zeae-maydis and Xc.pv.
musacearum with Sesbania sesban having greater radial inhibition activity. There was no significant difference in the antimicrobial activity between the lowest
concentrations (25% and 25mg/ml) and highest concentrations (75% and 75mg/ml) in all the three plant extracts. Growth inhibition observed could be as a result of the
different chemical compound observed in the extracts. Presence of alkaloids in Sesbania sesban could explain the greater growth inhibition of the pathogens under
study. The results form the basis for further research that could lead to isolation and development of antimicrobial agents. Therefore, these plants can be used as an
alternative to synthetic chemicals to control Cercospora zeae-maydis and Xanthomonas campestris pv. Musacearum
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- Department of Botany [229]