Antibacterial activity of the stem bark of Jatropha curcas L. against four bacteria species

The antibacterial activity of the aqueous and methanolic crude stem back extracts of Jatropha curcas L. against four bacteria species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphyloccus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli) was investigated, using agar diffusion technique. At concentrations ranging from 10 - 40 mg/mL, the methanolic crude extract showed activity against the four bacteria (P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and E. coli) from 2 mm - 20 mm, after 24 h incubation. The aqueous crude extract showed no activity against all the bacteria species investigated. Minimal inhibitory concentration of the crude extract was found to be between 10 - 20 mg/mL. Similarly, the minimal bacteriocidal concentration was between 20 - 25 mg/mL. The phytochemical constituents of the crude extracts include alkaloid, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, terpenes, flavonoids, steroids and anthraquinone. More extraction solvents should be employed to ascertain the antibacterial potentials and the phytochemical constituents of the plant.