Comparative Antibacterial Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Gambeya albida and Newbouldia laevis on Selected Bacterial Isolates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59493/advpbl/2026.1.4Abstract
Gambeya albida and Newbouldia laevis are West African medicinal plants traditionally used to treat infectious diseases. This study comparatively evaluated the phytochemical profiles and antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of both plants against five clinically sourced bacterial isolates (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Quantitative phytochemical screening was performed on both extracts, while antibacterial activity was determined by agar well diffusion, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) determined by broth microdilution. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, were present in both plants at varying concentrations. N. laevis had higher steroids (44.61 mg/g) than alkaloids (12.66 mg/g) content, while G. albida had higher flavonoid (13.7 mg/100g) and tannins (2.56 g/100g) levels. G. albida extract produced the largest inhibition zone diameter (IZD) against E. coli (IZD = 18.5 mm at 100 mg/mL; MIC = 6.25 mg/mL; MBC = 12.5 mg/mL) and moderate activity against S. aureus (IZD = 10 mm; MIC = 50 mg/mL; MBC = 100 mg/mL). N. laevis extract inhibited only E. coli (IZD = 10 mm; MIC = 50 mg/mL; MBC = 100 mg/mL). Neither extract inhibited Proteus spp., P. aeruginosa, or Klebsiella spp. The difference in antibacterial activity against E. coli between the two extracts was statistically significant (p = 0.0002 at 100 mg/ml; p = 0.0010 at 50 mg/ml). These findings validate the traditional use of G. albida in managing bacterial infections and support its potential as a complementary antimicrobial agent.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ogechukwu C. Dozie-Nwakile, Calistus D. Nwakile, Ebere A. Onyebueke, Ferdinand C. Onwuka, Oluchi M. Okeh, Iniekong P. Udoh, Aghatise K. Erhamwonyi, Rebecca C. Edu, Seto T. Aladenika
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