Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and GC-MS Analyses of Extracts of Annona Muricata l. (Sour SOP) Leaf

Abstract

The plant, Annona muricata is commonly known as sour-sop and both the leaves and fruits are used globally to manage various forms of infections. The leaf of Annona muricata was investigated to confirm its antimicrobial properties and to identify some of its chemical constituents. The air-dried, powdered leaf obtained from Bwari Area Council, Abuja, was extracted with ethanol to obtain the crude extract. The crude ethanol extract was subjected to phytochemical screening which showed the presence of tannins, quinones, phenols, terpenoids and saponins. The crude extract was also screened for antimicrobial activity against some human pathogens, including Staphylocuccus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Eschericia coli. The crude extract showed activity against the test organisms at MIC values of 12.5 mg/mL, 12.5 mg/mL, and 25mg/mL, respectively. The fresh leaf was steam distilled and the volatile oil was subjected to GC-MS and FTIR analyses which revealed the presence of 16 major components, mainly alcohols, acids, esters, and oxygenated derivatives of long-chain hydrocarbons. Among them ethanol, 2-2 (ethoxyethoxy)- was the major component constituting about 89% of the total volatile oil. Of great significance was the presence of eugenol, an aromatic monoterpenoid. The presence of these chemical components in the leaf extracts of Annona muricata may account for its ethno-medicinal uses in the management of infections.