Abstract

The research was aimed to determine the phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of fractionated leaves and stem bark extracts of Carica papaya on six different clinical isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) recovered from infected patients attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, phenol, flavonoids, Protein and amino acid, reducing sugar, anthraquinone steroid and terpenoid. Using agar well diffusion method for determination of antibacterial activity of the extracts, the results showed that the fractionated leaves extracts showed higher activity against the isolates (with average zone of inhibition of 16.40±1.55 mm) with n-hexane fraction showing higher antibacterial activity (18.23±1.12 mm) than ethyl-acetate (15.35±1.04 mm) and n-butanol (13.33±0.95 mm) fractions while the isolates were resistant to stem bark extract. Statistical analysis of the results showed that ISOL. 3 is the most susceptible to the extracts used covering an average zone of inhibition of 19.83 ±1.10 mm followed by ISOL 6 (19.66±1.06 mm). Least zone of inhibition was recorded in ISOL 5 (09.80±0.31 mm) which is resistant to the extracts used. There is statistical significant different on the activity of the extracts and susceptibility of the organisms against the extracts at p<0.05. Based on the findings of this research, the ethno botanical application of the plant (Carica papaya) is justified.

Keywords:Antibacterial activity; Carica papaya; Phytochemical; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abbreviations: DMSO: Dimethylsulphuroxide; MRSA: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; TLC: Thin Layer Chromatography