ABSTRACT 

The antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on sputum isolates were studied. Organisms obtained from the culture of the infected sputum includes Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a fungal yeast (Candida albicans). Bioactive compounds were extracted from the plant leaves using different solvents (Aqueous, methanol, ethanol and acetone). Preliminary phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of Alkaloid, Saponin, Tannin, Cyanogenic Glycoside, flavonoid, Steroid and Phenol. Antioxidant activities obtained were Scavenging at concentration of 54.3%, Chelating at 45.8% and Reducing at concentration of 30.83%.  Using disc diffusion method each prepared extract was tested on the different isolated organisms and the extent of sensitivity of the tested organism on the different extracts was measured by their zones of Inhibition. Methanol extract inhibited growth of the test organisms at the highest range of 12.33 to 23.67mm, Ethanol at the range of 11.33 to 23.00mm, Acetone at the range of 10.00 to 20.00mm and Aqueous extract at the range of 12.33 to 17.33mm. A standard broad spectrum antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) was use as a control. The action of the different extracts shows variation of significant differences (P<0.05). The lowest Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of the extracts was at concentration of 100mg/ml and the highest Minimum Inhibition Concentration was at 200mg/ml. There is basis for the traditional use of extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum plant as a local health remedy for respiratory tract infections and the result of this study can be a precursor for the production of drugs for respiratory tract infections.

TABLE OF CONTENT

        Title page

        Certification i

        Dedication ii

        Acknowledgement iii

        Table of content iv

        List of Tables  ix

        List of Figures                                                                                                            x

        Abstract xi

CHAPTER ONE                                                                                                                                        

1.0      INTRODUCTION 1

1.1      Aims and objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1      Medicinal plant 4

2.2 Bryophyllum pinnatum plant 5

2.3 Phytochemical Constituent of Bryophyllum pinnatum 8

2.4 Medicinal and pharmacological value of Bryophyllum pinnatum 10

2.5 Antioxidant properties of Bryophyllum pinnatum 11

2.6 Antimicrobial Agents 13

2.6.1 Characteristics of Antimicrobial Agent 13

2.6.2 Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Agent Activity 13

2.7 Sputum 14

2.7.1 Types of Sputum 14

2.7.2 Common Pathogens Associated with Sputum 15

2.8 Respiratory Tract Infections 15

2.8.1 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 16

2.8.2 Lower respiratory tract infection 16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 17

3.1 Materials 17

3.2 Collection of plant sample 17

3.2.1 Preparation of sample for extraction 17

3.3 Production of Extracts 18

3.4 Sputum sample Collection 18

3.5 Media preparation 18

3.6 Isolation, characterization and identification of the isolates 19

3.6.1 Purification of isolates (Subculture) 19

3.6.2 Characterization of isolates 19

3.6.2.1 Characterization of fungi isolate 20

3.6.2.2 Characterization of bacteria isolates 20

3.7 Gram Stain Reaction 21

3.8 Biochemical tests 21

3.8.1 Sugar tube fermentation test 21

3.8.2 Catalase test: 22

3.8.3 Motility test 22

3.8.4 Urease test 22

3.8.5 Indole test 22

3.8.6 Oxidase test 23

3.8.7 Methylene red 23

3.8.8 Coagulase test 23

3.8.9 Citrate utilization test 24

3.9 Phytochemical analysis 24

3.9.1 Qualitative analysis 24

3.9.1.1 Test for Tannins 24

3.9.1.2 Test for Saponin 25

3.9.1.3 Test for Flavonoid 25

3.9.1.4 Test for Alkaloid 25

3.9.1.5 Test for Steroids 26

3.9.1.6 Test for Phenol 26

3.9.2 Quantitative content of the phytochemical 26

3.9.2.1 Determination of Alkaloid 26

3.9.2.2 Determination of Flavonoid 27

3.9.2.3 Determination of Tannin 28

3.9.2.4 Determination of Saponin 29

3.9.2.5 Determination of Phenol 30

3.9.2.6 Determination of Cyanogenic Glycoside 31

3.10 Determination of Antioxidant activity 32

3.10.1 Determination of scavenging activity 32

3.10.2 Ferrous ion-chelating ability 33

3.10.3 Ferrous reducing antioxidant power 33

3.11 Antimicrobial assay 33

3.11.1 Determination of Minimum Inhibition Concentration 34

3.12 Statistical Analysis 34

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS 35

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 43

5.1 Discussion 43

5.2 Conclusion 45

5.3 Recommendation 45

REFERENCE

APPENDICES