Ekpai Emediong Saviour¹, Offiong Jacqueline Aniekan¹, Udoh Dora Imefon^1,, Thomas Paul Sunday², Chikezie Friday Maduka³

Eryngium foetidum L. has been used traditionally for the treatment of different ailments. This study was conducted to determine the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial potential of essential oil from Eryngium foetidum L. (Sawtooth coriander) plant on selected clinical isolates using standard phytochemical and microbiological techniques. The methanolic extract of the plant was obtained using the maceration method, in 70% methanol as the organic solvent. The extract obtained was subjected to phytochemical screening. The essential oil was extracted using hydro-distillation and analyzed via the Kirby-Bauer agar well diffusion method for antimicrobial activity. Results revealed the presence of bioactive constituents such as anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Antimicrobial activity results obtained showed that the essential oil highest activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 21.2±0.4mm, followed by Escherichia coli (18.2±0.2mm), Staphylococcus aureus (15.3±0.2mm). Antifungal activity was more potent against Microsporum species (23.4±0.5mm) than Candida albicans (16.2±0.1mm). Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. aureus was 6.25mg/ml and 25mg/ml and 50mg/ml respectively but Microsporum species. with 25mg/ml. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) revealed P. aeruginosa with the lowest MBC of 25mg/ml, E. coli (50mg/ml), S. aureus (100mg/ml). The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) also presented Microsporum species. with 50mg/ml, and Candida albicans 100mg/ml respectively. The activity index of the essential oil at 100mg/ml against C. albicans was 1.07 and 1.20 compared to the antifungal drug fluconazole and ketoconazole respectively. The result of this research presents Eryngium foetidum as plant that contains a good number of bioactive compounds and its oil with high antimicrobial activities thus supporting the traditional usage of this plant. The results also suggest that Eryngium foetidum essential oil should be exploited as an alternative for treatment of infections especially skin infections associated with microorganisms highlighted in this study.

Phytochemical, Essential oil, Eryngium foetidum, Antimicrobial