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ABSTRACT
The Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) is an evergreen green tree that is grown in various part of the world. The leaf of Neem plant is used traditionally and industrially in various parts of the world, but is abundant in Asia and West Africa. It is widely used as a traditional herb for neutralizing causative agents of ailments such as bacteria which is often attributed to its most of chemical components. This study evaluated phytochemical properties and the antibacterial activity of aqueous neem plant leaf extracts. Assessment of phytochemical properties was based on standard procedures and bacterial isolates were obtained from the Department of Microbiology laboratory and identified using cultural and morphological methods. The results from the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of four phytochemicals (saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins). The antibacterial activity of the leaf extract showed that 100% concentration of the extract inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (10 mm, 12 mm and 10 mm) and Escherichia coli (11 mm, 11 mm and 10 mm). At 75% concentration of extract, Staphylococcus aureus (8 mm, 9 mm and 9 mm) was inhibited and Escherichia coli (8 mm, 7 mm and 8 mm) was also inhibited. At 50% concentration of the extract, Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited (7 mm, 8 mm and 6 mm) and Escherichia coli as well (9 mm, 7 mm and 6 mm). However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was not inhibited in all the concentrations studied. Neem leaf extract contains phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins and thus should be considered as a source of remedy for bacterial infections.
