Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Potential of Garcina Cola and Cola Nitida

ABSTRACT This study investigated the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of Garcina kola and Cola nitida extracts. The ethanolic extracts of the test plants were used against selected test organisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus using the disc diffusion method. The extracts of both plants were analyzed for total phenol, flavonoids, alkaloid, tannin and saponin content using standard methods. The results revealed significant phytochemical content in both plants, with Garcina cola showing higher levels of phenols and flavonoids. The tested plant seeds of both plants possess reasonable antibacterial activity but to varied zones of inhibition, with Staphylococcus aureus isolate having the highest inhibitory zones (23.00) mm at 1200mg/ml for Garcina cola and (16.00) mm at 1200mg/ml for Cola nitida while Aspergillus flavus had the least inhibitory zone (9.00) mm at 1200mg/ml against extract of Garcina cola and (5.00) mm at 1200mg/ml against extract of Cola nitida. Both extracts exhibited dose-dependent antimicrobial activity, with Garcina cola demonstrating broader spectrum activity, these findings suggest that Garcina cola and Cola nitida possess potential antimicrobial agents, supporting their traditional use in folk medicine and are useful in combating bacterial infections.