Exploration of the Antimicrobial Properties of Ficus exasperata Leaves from Akure Metropolis

Aim: The study was conducted to explore the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the leaf extracts of Ficus exasperata (Sand paper tree) in vitro.

Study Design: Extracts from Ficus exasperata leaves were qualitatively screened for the phytochemical constituents, and their in vitro antimicrobial potency was evaluated against fourteen (14) fungal and bacterial isolates.

Results: The tested extracts contained tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides whereas, saponin, steroids, phlobatannin and anthraquinone were absent. The acetone extract of the leaf demonstrated better antimicrobial activity against 10 of the test organisms. However, the highest antimicrobial activity (31.27 mm) was exhibited by the methanol extract against referenced culture of Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the extracts also displayed better antibacterial than antifungal activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged between 0.391-1.563 mg/mL, with the acetone extract displaying lower MIC values.

Conclusion: The occurrence of the observed phytochemicals in the extracts of Ficus exasperata (Sand paper tree) could be involved in the antimicrobial efficacy of the plant. The results from this study thus supports the folkloric use of the plants. Additionally, the plant could also be exploited for the production of drugs especially for staphylococci infections.