Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Terminalia catappa L. Leaf Extract Against Potential Pathogens of Animals

Abstract

The challenge of antimicrobial resistance prompted exploration of therapeutic products from medicinal plants. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of T. catappa leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, Candida albicans, and Microsporum canis. Different concentrations were used to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of the plant extract. The extract demonstrated a broad antimicrobial spectrum by inhibiting both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at MIC range of 5,000 to 10,000 µg/mL. C. albicans was inhibited at 78.12 µg/mL and M. canis at 312.5 µg/mL. The MIC-MBC ratios and the MIC-MFC ratios indicate that T. catappa leaf extract has bactericidal action, fungicidal action to M. canis, and fungistatic action to C. albicans. Tannins, saponins and alkaloids were detected from the extract, which may be responsible for the antimicrobial activities of the plant.