Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antifungal Properties of AnnonamuricataLeaf Extracts

The worldwide increase of multidrug resistance associated bacterial infections has gained the attention of researchers to warrant an effective antimicrobial therapy. Annonamuricata (Graviola) has a long, rich history of use in herbal medicine as well as a lengthy recorded indigenous use for many ailments. The present study was designed to screen for selected phytochemicals and antibacterial properties (antibacterial and antifungal)using different solvent extracts (Hydroethanolic, Chloroform, Ethylacetate and Petroleum ether)in graviola leaves. The results obtained shows that Annonamuricata contains alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, and reducing sugar. Hydroethanolic extract was noticed to exert significant inhibitory effect against the growth of P.aeruginosa, Klebsiella, and E.Coli. Stapylococcusaureuswas sensitive to petroleum ether and chloroform extracts. Ethyl acetate extract was found to be effective against the fungal strains (Candida albicans, A.fumigatus and andA.niger). In addition, minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts was found to be ranging from 250 to 350µg /ml against all tested bacterial strains. The results could justify the traditional use of Annonamuricata in the treatment infectious diseases.