Phytochemical Screening, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of a Flavonoid from Sudanese Bauhinia rufescens (kulkul) (Caesalpiniaceae) Roots

A 7-, 4׳ dihydroxyl-5-methoxyl -5׳ acetyl flavonoid was isolated from the roots of Sudanese Bauhinia rufescens (family, Caesalpiniaceae Fabaceae). The isolate was purified by different Chromatographic techniques and identified via a combination of spectral tools (IR, UV, 1HNMR and Mass spectroscopy).

The isolated compound was screened for its antimicrobial activity against six standard human pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans) and promising results were obtained. About 600 species of Bauhinia grow in the tropical regions of the word. It is found in the Sahel and adjacent Sudan zone, from Senegal and Mauritania across North Ghana and Niger to central Sudan and Ethiopia. Bauhinia rufescens is a little tree shrub. green all year with small leaves and white flowers. The macerate of Bauhinia rufescens roots used externally to treat ulcers and rheumatism. The isolated flavanone can play role in development of new tool as antimicrobial agent.