Extracts of leaves and stems of
Gynandropsis gynandra
L. (Briq.) and
Buchholzia coriaceae
Engl. (A. Chev.) were screened phytochemically for the presence of secondary metabolites and for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal properties respectively. The main secondary metabolites indicated in both plants were alkaloids, cyanogenetic glycosides and steroidal nuclues. Anthraquinones were slightly indicated. Hexane and methanolic extracts of each of the plant materials of the two plants were screened for antimicrobial properties using eleven clinical strains of human pathogenic microorganisms. At a concentration of 200mg/ml, the extracts displayed various degrees of activity in both bioassays. Of the eight extracts investigated, B. coriaceae stem hexane extract displayed the highest activities in both assays in the agar cup diffussion technique. The microorganisms that were used included six bacteria and five fungi. Ampicillin and tioconazole were used as standard reference drugs while methanol was incuded as a solubilising agent as well as a negative control in the study. Diameters of zones of inhibition were in the range of 10-24mm for the extracts and drugs.
