Preliminary phytochemical screening, plant growth inhibition and antimicrobial activity studies of Faidherbia albida legume extracts

Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Faidherbia albida legumes indicated the presence of terpenes, cardiac glycosides, monosaccharides and carbohydrates type of compounds in both extracts. While alkaloids and saponins were found in aqueous extract only, flavonoids were found to be absent in both extracts. The aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited a potent growth stimulation effect. Inhibition of both the rootlet and shoot showed a dose dependent response. Aqueous extract has a greater inhibitory effect on rootlet growth than shoot growth. The methanolic extract has a greater inhibitory effect than the aqueous extract. Both extracts and some fractions were tested against three pathogenic bacterial species; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae, also tested against three pathogenic fungal species; Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternate, and Aspergillus niger. Most of the plant extracts stimulate the studied fungal growth specially the aqueous extract. Meanwhile it shows interesting results by inhibiting the growth of the studied pathogenic bacterial species with most extracts and fractions.