Characterization, Proximate Composition and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Seed Oil of Bauhinia tomentosa

Background: This study was carried out to investigate proximate composition, phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activity of the spectroscopically characterized seed oil of Bauhinia tomentosa . Materials and method: The characterization was carried out using FT-IR, mass spectra, 1H- and 13C-NMR. Results: The results from the proximate analysis showed the presence of crude protein 30.36±0.98%, crude fibre 26.00±0.69%, carbohydrate 25.32±0.57%, moisture content 12.04±0.39%, ash content 4.00±0.15% and fat content 2.28±0.09%. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, cardiac glycosides, sterols, anthraquinones and tannins in varying degrees. The mineral determination showed that the seed oil contained iron (3.10±0.01 mg kgG1), manganese (0.38±0.01 mg kgG1), while cadmium (0.0 mg kgG1), lead (0.0 mg kgG1) and nickel (0.0 mg kgG1) were not detected. The extracted seed oil was investigated for antimicrobial efficiency against four bacterial isolates and two fungal, wherein gentamicin and clotrimazole were the clinical standard antibiotic and antifungal agents, respectively. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity result revealed the sample to be bioactive and of great pharmaceutical potential with MIC value of 6.25 and <3.625 mg mLG1 against Escherichia coli and Candida albican, respectively. Due to high nutritional values and broad antimicrobial properties, the seed oil of Bauhinia tomentosa has nutraceutical potentials, which might pave way for its use as an alternative nutrient source for mankind or for industrial purpose