Phytochemical, nutritional and antimicrobial properties of the leaves of Nigerian Ziziphus Spina – Christi (l.) Willd

Z. spina found in the tropical regions of the world is a small tree capable of resisting heat and drought. Traditionally, the leaves of the plant are preserved as feed for animals during intense drought as well as used to treat external wounds, swellings, diarrhea, and intestinal spasm among others. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard procedures, while the nutritional and antibacterial studies were conducted using the Association of Analytical Chemist (AOAC) and agar well diffusion methods respectively. The result of the phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, among others. Moisture content (27.24 ± 1.19 %), total ash (29.11 ± 0.66 %), acid insoluble ash (1.43 ± 0.06 %), alcohol-soluble extractive (0.26 ± 0.14 %) and water-soluble extractive (0.72 ± 0.12 %) values were obtained from the quantitative proximate analysis. The mineral analysis revealed 14 ± 0.09, 135 ± 1.29 and 1.05 ± 0.19 mg/100 g dry weight as the sodium, potassium and phosphorus compositions respectively. Escherichia coli was found to be the most susceptible bacteria to the extract with an MIC value of 0.25 mg/ml while Staphylococcus aureus was the most resistant strain with an MIC value of 1.00 mg/ml. Conclusively, the leaves of the plant may find use in food formulation operations as well as explored further for the treatment of microbial infections. Keyword: Antimicrobial, Extract, MIC, Nutritional, Ziziphus spina