Evaluation of the antimicrobial property of the stem bark of Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae)

The basic fraction (BF) of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Picrali ma nitida (family Apocynaceae) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, but limited acti vity against Gram-negative bacteria. The BF had a similar minimum inhibitor y concentration (MIC) for S. aureus to the control drug ampicillin, and low er MIC values against A. flavus and A, niger than those of tiaconazole. Val ues of the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the BF against micro organisms tested were generally much higher than those for the control drug s ampicillin and gentamicin, The results suggest that some constituents of the stem bark could be isolated and developed into effective antimicrobial agents. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.