Phytochemical Screening, GC Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of N-Haxane Extract of Cissus arguta Hook.f. (Sunset bell)

Abstract

This study focused on determining the phytochemicals and the antimicrobial
efficacy of the non-polar extract of the fresh stem of Cissus arguta using n-hexane.
The phytochemical classes were determined by standard methods followed by Gas
Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis. Disc diffusion (Agar)
method was used to determine the microbial sensitivity of extract against selected
strains of micro-organisms, while broth dilution was used to determine the
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The percentage yield of the extract was
1.03 %, revealing alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids
via phytochemical studies. GC-MS results indicated free fatty acids as the major
constituents (54.24 %) of the C. arguta n-hexane extract, closely followed by esters
and terpenoids (41.50 %). The hydrocarbons were of alicyclic derivatives, with the
least percentage composition (4.25 %). The extract showed antimicrobial potency
against Escherichia coli (MIC:12.5 mg/mL; MBC: 25 mg/mL), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (MIC: 25; MBC: 25), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 25 mg/mL; MBC:
50 mg/mL), Bacillus subtlis (MIC:50 mg/mL; MBC: 100 mg/mL), Asperigillus
niger (MIC: 25 mg/mL; MFC: 50 mg/mL). and Candida albicans (MIC:50 mg/mL;
MFC: 100 mg/mL). The extract of C. arguta shows antimicrobial activity against
all class of microbes, with the highest zones of inhibition against P. aeruginosa and
S. aureus, but least active against the fungi strains. Specifically, C albicans show
the highest resistance against the extract. The microbial activity and
phytochemicals justify its folkloric usage.Antimicrobial