Volume 14, Issue 2: 2024 - Article 163

Abstract
Infections and diseases are the most notable health challenges faced by humans and animals; they lead to health impairments, death and economic losses. The leaf extract of Luffa cylindrica plant (sponge gourd) have been noted for its medicinal properties, but its phytochemical and elemental constituents and its anti-bacterial activity has not been reported. The present study evaluated the phytochemical and elemental constituents and the in vitro anti-bacterial activity of aqueous leaf extract of L. cylindrica. Leaves of L. cylindrica used for the study were collected within the University of Maiduguri premises, Jere Local Government of Borno State, Nigeria. Two hundred grammes of the dried L. cylindrica leaves were extracted with water, and subjected to standard qualitative phytochemical and quantitative elemental analysis and in vitro anti-bacterial activity evaluation. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of following phytochemicals: alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, saponins and tannins. The elemental analysis of the leaves revealed the following concentrations of elements: Copper – 2.489 ± 0.132 mg/kg, Iron – 0.787 ± 0.076 mg/kg, Chromium – 0.166 ± 0.009 mg/kg, Nickel – 0.042 ± 0.004 mg/kg, Arsenic – 0.009 ± 0.001 mg/kg and Cadmium – 0.005 ± 0.0 mg/kg; all these concentrations fall within the permissible limit as stated by FAO. In vitro evaluation of anti-bacterial activity showed that the extract was effective against the following tested bacteria, with inhibition zone diameters at the highest concentration of 300 mg extract, as follows: Salmonella – 14.5 ± 0.5 mm, Shigella – 14.5 ± 1.5 mm, Escherichia coli – 15.5 ± 0.5 mm, Bacillus – 14.5 ± 1.3 mm, Klebsiella – 14.5 ± 1.3 mm, Proteus – 15.5 ± 0.5 mm, and Staphylococcus – 14.5 ± 1.0 mm. It was concluded that aqueous extract of leaves of L. cylindrica is a potential source of safe and effective anti-bacterial agent.

Keywords: Phytochemicals; Elemental analysis; Anti-bacterial activity; Luffa cylindrica; Aqueous leaf extract.

How to cite this article:
Chiroma M, Madziga HA, Kyari SA, Telta AD, Saidu AL and Chiroma KM (2024).
Evaluation of the phytochemical and elemental constituents and the in vitro anti-bacterial
activity of aqueous leaf extract of Luffa cylindrica (sponge gourd). Journal of Veterinary
and Applied Sciences, 14(2): 770 – 778.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     mbursachiroma@unimaid.edu.ng      Phone: +2348068173762

Evaluation of the phytochemical and elemental constituents and the in vitro anti-bacterial activity of aqueous leaf extract of Luffa cylindrica (sponge gourd)

Mbursa Chiroma ¹ *, Hannah A. Madziga ¹, Sanda A. Kyari ¹, Ayuba D. Telta ², Adamu L. Saidu ¹ and Kwaru M. Chiroma ^3
1 Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

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