Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of vangueria volkensii bark, fruit, leaf, and stem extracts

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Vangueria volkensii Bark, Fruit, Leaf, and Stem Extracts (August 2019) Douglas Parnell Holland, A.A., Western Texas College; B.S., University of Arkansas at Monticello; Chair of Committee: Dr. Michael R. Kidd Ethnopharmacological relevance: Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and continues to have a critical role in the healthcare system worldwide, and it is estimated that 80% of all pharmaceutical drugs are plant based in origin. Plants from the Rubiaceae family have gained the attention of scientist because they exhibit great medicinal potential and value. However, Vangueria volkensii has no published research on its pharmacological activity and properties. Materials and Methods: In the present study, Vangueria volkensii bark, fruits, leaves, and stems were sequentially extracted via Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether (PE), acetone (ACE), and ethanol (ETOH) solvents. Utilizing the diffusion method, the antimicrobial activity of each extract at concentrations 5, 15, 25, 50 mg/ml against six bacteria was determined via the size of the zones of inhibition. Gram-negative [Escherichia coli B strain, Salmonella enterica Subsp. enteritidis, Shigella flexneri] and gram-positive [Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus] bacteria were selected based on availability.