Isolation and Antimicrobial Investigation of Extract and Fractions Obtained from the Stem Bark of Ficus sycomorus (Moraceae)

Abstract

Microbial infections are very common in developing countries like Nigeria. It is the cause of poverty as well as many deaths in 
developing countries, while the current treatments are encountering resistance by these pathogens. However, natural products 
can help to overcome the problems associated with pathogenic diseases. Ethanolic extract of Ficus sycomorus stem bark was
evaluated phytochemically for its constituents and antimicrobial potential on selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative
organisms. The extract was fractionated by column and pooled into four fractions (A–D), these were evaluated for their 
antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. typhi, S. aureus and K. pneumonia at different concentrations. The fractions A–C were 
active at concentration of 50-100 mg/mL. The low MIC values of the crude extract against S. aureus and K. pneumonia holds 
potential for use as antimicrobial drug leads.