Abstract

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Monodora myristica is a spice whose various parts are used traditionally for the treatment of a variety of ailments. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituents and in-vitro antimicrobial activity of methanolic seed extract of M. myristica against Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli and Candida albicans. Plant seeds were collected, dehulled, air-dried, blended and extracted with methanol using soxhlet apparatus. The result of the qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavanoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and cardiac glycoside. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the extract revealed the presence of twenty-one different compounds. The first compound detected was formic acid at a retention time of 6.032 minutes while the last compound detected was7-Acetyl-2-hydroxy-2 methyl-5 isopropylbicyclo [4.3.0.] nonane, at a retention time of 0.72 minutes. The extract exhibited increased antimicrobial activity with increasing concentration. The mean inhibition zone diameter (IZD) at 80mg/ml, 40 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml extract concentrations were 25.8mm, 22.5mm, 20.5mm and 15.0mm for E .coli, 22.5mm, 21.0mm, 17.8mm, 15.0mm for S. aureus and 24.5, 20.5, 17.0, 18.0mm for C. albicans. The MIC ranged between 2.5 and 3.5 mg/ml while the MBC values ranged between 3.0 and 3.5 mg/ml

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, antimicrobial resistance, bioactive compounds, medicinal plants, Monodora myristica.