Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of the Extracts from Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica

Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a wide range of diseases in West Africa. This study aimed at assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts of the stem bark of F. africana and F. elastica . The dried, milled stem barks of F. africana and F. elastica were extracted with water and 70% ethanol by cold maceration. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids, and tannins were determined using standard methods. The extracts were tested against bacterial and fungal pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans . The zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), activity index, and the total antimicrobial activity of the extracts on the organisms were evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, anthocyanins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, quinones, tannins, and saponins. The ethanolic extract of F. elastica had the highest phenolic flavonoid contents and total antioxidant capacity. A positive correlation was observed between TPC with TAC ( R = 0.893, p < 0.05) and TFC with TAC ( R = 0.613, p < 0.05). The extracts were most active against E. coli and C. albicans and least active against B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa . The data obtained from the study indicated that the barks of the two plants possessed both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.