Spectroscopic and Antimicrobial Activities of Fractions Derived from Phyllanthus Amarus Schum and Thonn Aqueous Leaf Extract

The purpose of study was to carryout spectroscopic study of four fractions obtained from Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn. aqueous leaf. extract and determine their antimicrobial activities. The plant leaves were dried, powdered and extracted with sterile distilled water. Aqueous extract obtained was fractionated with solvents of varying polarity through column chromatography. Fractions were characterized using UV-VIS, FTIR and GC/MS techniques. The UV-VIS profile indicated different peaks ranging from 200-800nm, Fraction A showed peaks at 661,491,396 and 272, fraction B, 660 and 600.50. Fraction C had only one peak, 651, and fraction D, two peaks 759,294. The IR spectrum showed hydroxyl (OH) absorption, methylene, methyl and carboxylic group absorptions. Compounds present in the various fractions included 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid dioctyl ester (phthalic acid), ricinoleic acid, pentadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, Glycerin, 2-Coumaranone, n-hexadecanoic acid and others as detected by gas chromatography mass spectra. Compound obtained from the fractions were potent against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.The antimicrobial properties observed in these fractions are reflection of the compounds present in aqueous extract as detected by the spectroscopic analyses.