Abstract:
Kalanchoe densiflora leaves were sequentially extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform,
acetone and methanol. The solvents were evaporated through rotor evaporation under vacuum to
yield five extracts. The extracts were then subjected to chemical and photochemical analyses to
identify the components present and their functional groups. In addition the extracts were tested for
antimicrobial activities against eight micro-organisms; Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans,
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus
mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extracts were found to posses’ tannins, saponins,
terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. It was also found that unsaturated bonds, carboxyl
groups and aldehydes were present in the extracts. In addition, the extracts showed antimicrobial
activity against Bacillus spp, E. coli and P. aeruginosa as indicated by presence of zones of
inhibition. Acetonic and methanolic extracts were sensitive to P. aeruginosa, Bacillus spp. and S.
aureus while hexane extract was highly sensitive to E.coli. K. densiflora extracts was found to have
broad antimicrobial effect since it was active against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
Crude extracts from K. densiflora can be used in control of diseases such as; acute enteritis,
pneumonias and opportunistic diseases amongst other diseases caused by these microorganisms.
