Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Lagenaria Siceraria Pulp Solvent Extract

Student: Maryam Bala Maikudi (Project, 2025)
Department of Biochemistry
Northwest University, Kano, Kano State


Abstract

ABSTRACT
Lagenaria siceraria (Dipper gourd) has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments.
Recent studies confirm its medicinal properties, attributed to bioactive compounds. This study
investigates the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of Lagenaria siceraria pulp
extract to explore its potential as a natural remedy. The phytochemical and antibacterial activity
of pulp solvent extracts obtained from the Dried Nigerian dipper gourd was examined in this study
using qualitative and quantitative analysis and antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion
method. The phytochemical screening of the different pulp solvents extracts revealed the presence
of cardiac glycosides (35.32+0.27), alkaloids (26.05+0.08) in ethyl acetate and (19.42+0.01) in
methanol. Terpenoids (0.35+1.35) in ethyl acetate and (2.77+3.63) in methanol and steroids
(0.56+0.09) in varrying quantities. The different concentrations of L. Siceraria pulp solvent
extracts ( ethyl acetate and methanol) does not exhibit potent antibacterial activity against selected
pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) using agar well diffusion method and their
was Zero zone of inhibition. Lagenaria siceraria pulp does not exhibit proven potential to contain
antibacterial agents of pharmacological interest.

Keywords
Phytochemical screening Antibacterial activity Lagenaria siceraria Pulp extract Solvent extraction Bioactive compounds Medicinal plants Plant extracts Natural antimicrobials Pharmacological properties