Abstract:
This research was designed to evaluate the chemical (phytochemical, vitamin and mineral) and antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties of leaves of Zapoteca portoricensis. Four extracts were prepared with deionized water, methanol, ethylacetate and diethylether. Phytochemical and vitamin analyses were performed according to standard methods while mineral content was measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Agar disc diffusion method was used for antimicrobial study. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and anthraquinones which were present in the extracts, varied significantly (p<0.05) among the extracts. The level of Vitamins B2, B6, C, E and niacin, found in all the extracts did not show any significant difference (p>0.05), except B6 and C. The values for B6 and C in water extract were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in ethylacetate and diethylether extracts. All the extracts contained Na, Ca, K, Mg, P, Zn and Fe, whose values did not vary significantly (p>0.05) in the extracts. The extracts inhibited all the microorganisms tested in a concentration dependent pattern, the water extract being significantly higher (p<0.05) than organic extracts. These results may be useful in explaining the medicinal applications of leaves of Zapoteca portoricensis.
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