Secondary Metabolites Profiling, Proximate Compositions and Antimicrobial Activities of Cordylia Pinnata

Background: This study was carried out to investigate proximate composition, phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of Cordylia pinnata.

Methods: Phytochemical and proximate composition was determined using standard procedures. Antimicrobial test against S. aureus, E. coli, and S. typhi was investigated using agar diffusion method.

Results: Cordylia pinnata contains phenol, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and glycosides. Quantitatively, Cordylia pinnata contains alkaloids (25.05±0.04 mg/100g), flavonoids (26.12±0.78 mg/100g), cyanide (8638.80±15.67 mg/100g), phenols (156.89±0.67 mg/100g), saponins (1564.10±0.94 mg/100g), tannins (31.59±0.83 mg/100g). The proximate compositions show that Cordylia pinnata contains moisture (3.46±0.32%), ash (7.42±0.11 %), proteins (13.13±0.21 %), fibers (13.5±0.12 %), Carbohydrate (57.57±0.34 %). The extract was more sensitive to Salmonella typhi with inhibition zone in the range from 23.00 ±0.67 mm to 30.00±0.67mm. Zone of inhibition of E. coli ranged from 18.50±0.04mm and 27.00±0.56mm. The extract was sensitive to Staphylococcus aureus only at the concentrations of 80mg/mL (20.00±0.35mm) and 100mg/mL (26.00±0.89mm).

Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Cordylia pinnata contains significant amounts of nutrients which if consumed in sufficient amount could contribute greatly towards meeting human nutritional requirement for normal growth and adequate protection against diseases arising from malnutrition. The extract contains appreciable amounts of phytochemicals which might have contributed to its antimicrobial activities.

Keywords:Cordylia pinnata; Phytochemicals; Proximate; Antimicrobial