Phytochemicals Analyses and Antimicrobial Properties of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extracts On Selected Microbial Organisms (Bacteria and Fungi)

Abstract

The rise in prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has led to continuous search for effective antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants. Hibiscus sabdariffa, a known medicinal plant has shown to contain antimicrobial properties in preliminary studies. This study accessed the phytochemical components and antimicrobial activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa flower against selected bacterial and fungal organisms. The agar well diffusion method was used to check for antimicrobial activity. The MIC, MBC, and MFC were also determined. The results of the study showed that while the aqueous and the ethanol extracts of H. sabdariffa contained richly flavonoids, saponins and oxalates, but in moderate amounts tannins, alkaloids, hydrogen cyanide, phenols and others, the ethanol extracted more components. Significant antimicrobial activity was observed against all the tested bacterial strains (p < 0.04) and against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus (aqueous extract ) (p < 0.05), but no significant activity was seen against Candida albicans and Fusarium species. No significant differences were found between the aqueous and the ethanol extracts for all organisms (p > 0.05) excluding S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and A. flavus (p < 0.035). There was no significant differences between the mean MIC of the extracts and the control antibiotics (p = 0.382). However, a significant difference was found in the mean MIC values against the fungal strains (p = 0.00018). In conclusion , this study showed that Hibiscus sabdariffa contains antimicrobial activities which may serve as a promising natural source of antimicrobial agents for effective antimicrobial resistance.