Crude Extracts of Leaf and Stem Bark of CASSIA SIAMEA have IN VITRO Antimicrobial Activity

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of crude extracts of leaf and stem bark of Cassia siamea on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. Phyto-chemical analysis of both the leaf and stem bark of the plant indicated the presence of tanins,saponins,flavonoids,steroids and cardiac glycosides while phenols was found to be present only in the leaf. Aqueous crude extract of the leaf had highest activity on the test organisms ranging from 10.00 mm to 15.00 mm.In the case of stem bark, it was the crude methanolic extract that exhibited highest activity against the test organisms ranging from 8.00 mm to 16.00 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous crude extract of leafof the plant is 2.5 mg/ml for Salmonella typhi and Staphilococcus aureus while 5.0 mg/ml is for Escherichia coli. The MIC of methanolic crude extract of stem bark is 5.0 mg/ml for Staphilococcus aureus and 10.0 mg/ml for E.coli but against Salmonella typhi. This observation suggested that, the extracts are active in vitro against the test organisms. Keywords: Cassia siamea; Escherichia coli; Phytochemical Analysis; Salmonella typhi and Staphilococcus aureus