Abstract: Preliminary studies on the phytochemistry and extracts of water, methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether, of Senna alata flowers were examined for antimicrobial properties. Extracts tested at a final concentration of 500 microg mL(-1) produced in vitro antimicrobial activities in assays against clinical isolates of Staphylococus aureus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonans aureginosa and Bacillus subtilis. The zones of inhibitions produced by the extracts in agar diffusion assay against the test micro organisms ranged from 4 to 10 mm while the gentamycin antibiotic control, produced zones that measured 5 mm. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts showed the presence of phenols, tannins, anthraquinoes, saponins, flavonoids.

Abstract: In the course of a phytochemical study of L. mollis Cav. the previously reported compounds patuletin-7-O-glucoside 1, 12-hydroxy-13-en-xanthorrhizol 2, 11-en-13hydroxy-xanthorrhizol 3, xanthorrhizol 4, 12,13-epoxy-xanthorrhizol 5, and 1-αangeloyloxycarotol 6, were isolated. The EtOH extract of the aerial parts showed selective phytotoxic effects on S. halepense. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited potent herbicidal activity on S. halepense. Additionally, at all assayed doses, compound 2 affected drastically the root growth.

Abstract: Leaves of T danielli are mostly used as food wrappers, and for thatching roofs in the rural and sub-urban areas of south-western Nigeria Phytochemistry of the leaf extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, cardenolides and steroidal nucleus compounds Thin layer chromatography of the leaf extracts confirmed the presence of these secondary metabolites Antimicrobial screening of the leaf extract against selected microbes associated with food spoilage revealed a lack of activity against these microbes; viz; Salmonella typhimurium , Shigella dysentarieae , Shigella sp, Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus lactis , Leuconostoc sp, Pediococcus cerevisae , Bacillus cereus , Candida krusei , candida albicans , Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus flavus and Trichoderma konigii Aromatic (sweet smelling) oil was extracted from the leaves of the plant, which likely accounts for the enhanced flavour associated with foods wrapped with these leaves

Abstract: Phytochemistry is defined as study of chemical composition of medicinal plants or phytodrugs Phytochemistry is significant subject of Pharmacognosy curriculum Today we can witness explosive growth of herbal drug industry Standardized herbal extracts and phytochemicals are in high demand for applied research as well as commercial use The phytochemistry course taught in pharmacy schools deals with process of isolation, purification and pre-clinical studies of herbal extracts and phytochemicals