Metal Analysis, Phytochemical and Antibacterial Investigation of Crinum Macowanii Bulb

Abstract

Abstract-Crinum macowaniiBaker is a medicinal plant native to Southern Africa. It is commonly known as the Cape coast lily. Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts showed the presence of tannins, reducing sugars, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac gylcosides. The plant was extracted using methanol/chloroform 50:50 (v/v) and pressurized hot water extraction technique (PHWE). Antibacterial activities of the crude extracts were analyzed using disc diffusion and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The methanol/chloroform extracts showed noteworthy antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis (MIC 0.125mg/mL), Bacillus cereus (MIC 0.5mg/mL), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC 0.0625mg/mL) and the PHWE extract showed antibacterial activity against B. cereus (MIC 8mg/mL), S. epidermidis (MIC 16mg/mL), E. cloacae (MIC 16mg/mL) and P. aeruginosa (8mg/mL). Metal analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) detected elements such as Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Chromium, Nickel and Iron. This provides some validation of the traditional medicinal uses of the plant against the treatment of itchy rashes, boils, acne, backache and venereal disease, inflamed sores, swelling of the body, urinary tract problems and is also used to increase lactation in women and cows.