Phytochemical Screening & Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanolic & Aqueous Stembark Extracts of Boswellia Dalzielli (Hutch).

Abstract

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark of Boswellia dalzielli (Hutch) were qualitatively screened for phytochemicals and then investigated for antimicrobial activity using agar diffusion method with Escherichia coli ,Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae ,Streptococcus pneumoniae ,and Proteus species as test organisms. Phytochemical components such as Flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, quinones and cardiac glycosides were detected. The extracts at various concentrations indicated antimicrobial activity against test organisms, with ethanolic extract showing more activity than the aqueous extract. Both aqueous and ethanolic stem bark extracts of Boswellia dalzielli were found to exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The inhibitory effect of the extracts on the test organisms may be attributed to the much available phytochemical components detected in the stem bark.This plant may be a very good source of antimicrobials for commercial purposes.