Journal of Biology and Nature

Phytochemical screening, mineral analysis and antimicrobial investigation of the leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata was carried out in this study. The phytochemical screening revealed the content of various bioactive components such as saponin, tannin, flavonoid, anthraquinone and alkaloid. Mineral analysis revealed that Chromolaena odorata contains moderately high contents of calcium, sodium and magnesium. The leaves extracts were diluted to different concentrations 10%, 50% and 100% and the results revealed that growth of the organisms were inhibited at the highest concentration of the extract to the least concentration. Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the highest sensitivity with a zone of 17mm at 100% concentration, Escherichia coli had 15.3 mm and the least was Proteus vulgaris at 12.3 mm at same concentration. Antibiotic disc were also used for comparison, ciprofloxacin inhibited Escherichia coli with the zone of inhibition of 20 mm, and peflacine inhibited Klebsiella pneumonia at 15 mm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 mm with no inhibition with Augmentin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gentamycin on Staphylococcus aureus and ampicillin on Klebsiella pneumonia. These findings revealed the content of bioactive components, rich mineral constituents and inhibition potential of Chromolaena odorata extracts on skin micro flora. This justifies the use of Chromolaena odorata in both medical and traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments especially in wound healing and tissue damage.