Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Properties of Young Cocos Nucifera Leaf

Student: Sarah Blessing Olorunfemi (Project, 2025)
Department of Microbiology
Lens Polytechnic, offa, Kwara State.

Abstract

This study investigates the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of young Cocos nucifera (coconut) leaves, a traditionally underutilized plant part with potential therapeutic value. The research aimed to evaluate the leaf extract for the presence of bioactive compounds and assess its antimicrobial efficacy against selected bacterial and fungal isolates. Standard phytochemical screening methods revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides, indicating significant bioactive potential. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method against common pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The results showed that the methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited moderate to strong inhibitory effects on the test organisms, with zones of inhibition comparable to standard antibiotics. These findings suggest that young coconut leaves possess significant phytochemical constituents with antimicrobial potential and could be explored as a natural source for developing alternative antimicrobial agents. Further research is recommended to isolate and characterize specific active

Keywords
antimicrobial phytochemical properties young cocos nucifera
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